Giving eggs to broody hen question

[Gardenlady2]

I have a broody hen again (her first time, my second).
Can I put eggs under her that were laid yesterday and the day before? They've been sitting at room temperature.
Also, how many eggs should I give her? She's a Delaware.
Thanks!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Yes - those eggs (if fertile) would be fine to give her. Different folks have different time ranges which they will keep hatching eggs, and ways they store them, but those eggs you have are beyond fresh enough. If you think about it, a broody will collect eggs over quite a period of time before she actually sets the clutch. How many eggs do you have and how many chicks do you want/can you accommodate?

 

[bobbi-j]

Go for it! They will be just fine. She should be able to cover 10-12 easily.

 

[islandgirl82]

Yes - those eggs (if fertile) would be fine to give her. Different folks have different time ranges which they will keep hatching eggs, and ways they store them, but those eggs you have are beyond fresh enough. If you think about it, a broody will collect eggs over quite a period of time before she actually sets the clutch. How many eggs do you have and how many chicks do you want/can you accommodate?

x2

The only egg I've ever tried to hatch sat on my kitchen counter for about a week before I brought it to my son's kindergarten class to put in the incubator. We now have a beautiful cockerel who's about 10 weeks old. lol