Have a question, please.

[OHhappychicks]

I put 6 maran eggs under a broody last night, that has been broody for about 4 weeks. Just went to check on them and shut chickens in and she was off of that nest and setting in another one. One of the eggs was broken, so I brought the eggs in. I have been collecting the eggs to be hatched for 5 days yesterday, today is day 6. My question is, if I put them in the bator, I have to get it out, set up and running, which will take me until tomorrow evening as I have to work tomorrow, so should I start over collecting more eggs, or will these be ok until tomorrow evening? That will be day 7 for the first one collected.

 

[lightchick]

I think they'll be OK. I heard that you can store eggs for more then 2 weeks.

 

[OHhappychicks]

I think they'll be OK. I heard that you can store eggs for more then 2 weeks.

Oh, Ok! That would be great! I thought it was 5-6 days.

 

[Lizz9311]

It seems to be 10 days is the marker. For each day after that, hatchibility decreases 1%. So while two weeks is in the realm of possibility, the likelihood of a good hatch is lower.

 

[OHhappychicks]

It seems to be 10 days is the marker. For each day after that, hatchibility decreases 1%. So while two weeks is in the realm of possibility, the likelihood of a good hatch is lower.

Thank you! I won't be waiting that long, but it is good to know I don't have to panic and throw something together. I still have a few days yet! Yaayy!!

 

[OHhappychicks]

How long can a broody go without food and water? We found a broody, that had been missing for 2 weeks, on a nest in the barn. We have only saw her once off the nest since we found her a week ago. She looks really rough. We put food and water out for her, but we aren't sure she is using it. It is dark in the barn, so you can barely see her. She is a silver spangled hamburg. Very flighty and skiddish. We are afraid to disturb her and she leave the nest. She is in an empty nail bin that is about 3-4 feet off the ground. I'm not sure how she expects to get the chicks out of there. They should be hatching any day now, so we are watching her so we can move them to a safer place once they all hatch.

 

[lightchick]

How long can a broody go without food and water? We found a broody, that had been missing for 2 weeks, on a nest in the barn. We have only saw her once off the nest since we found her a week ago. She looks really rough. We put food and water out for her, but we aren't sure she is using it. It is dark in the barn, so you can barely see her. She is a silver spangled hamburg. Very flighty and skiddish. We are afraid to disturb her and she leave the nest. She is in an empty nail bin that is about 3-4 feet off the ground. I'm not sure how she expects to get the chicks out of there. They should be hatching any day now, so we are watching her so we can move them to a safer place once they all hatch.

I'd put food and water as close as possible to her.

 

[OHhappychicks]

I'd put food and water as close as possible to her.

We have. We set it right by her, and she may be eating/drinking a little. Looked like she has pecked a little at the food, but not much. I hope they hatch soon. It should be anytime now.
Thanks for replying!

 

[farnorth]

Try putting some sunflower seeds in a pile in front of her....I found that even broodies that don't want to eat can't resist sunflower seeds. At least it will give her some calories and probably perk her up a bit.

 

[OHhappychicks]

Try putting some sunflower seeds in a pile in front of her....I found that even broodies that don't want to eat can't resist sunflower seeds. At least it will give her some calories and probably perk her up a bit.

I can do that! Thank you