HELP! Found 14 eggs, hen not staying on them

[RoyalHillsLLC]

We have been getting a lot less eggs, now that it is hot. The last two days, none at all. Then this evening one of my hens didn't come in for the night so I got to looking and found a nest from one of my Ameracaunas (or Aracaunas, not sure the difference). These hens (I have three of them) go back to the pen every night. Is there any chance she can raise them if we leave them all in the nest? They are in a safe place I think, right by our front door in a flower bed. Do this breed typically go broody or should I move them to my bantam that is broody for about a week now?
Also, if we decided to get some of the eggs for us, how long can they have been out in this 100 degree heat and still be good? I didn't know she was laying in the front yard so I don't know how long they have been there.

 

[jackiedon]

Our hens will do this and not sit on them. What we do is as soon as we find them we bring them in the house and put in a bowl of water. If the eggs float they are not any good and if they don't they are still good. Haven't hurt us yet.

We did have a banty go broody for about 5 days and then she got off of them. I did put them in the incubator and candled them after a couple of days. 2 are viable and 3 were not and threw away.

Sorry I can't help anymore.

jackie

 

[justusnak]

OK, now...I am NOT an enabler....

BUT....if it was me....and I had a broody....why not put them under her? I mean...whats a few more chickens anyways? Right?

Everyone "needs" a few more.....and the babies....ohhhh, so cute!!!

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

Well, that's what I decided to try this time. She rolled them right under her and is defending them like her own. To try and keep her safe, I put the eggs in a cardboard box and put them in the spot she has been setting on. She inspected it when I let her out this morning and jumped right in the box! Now my plan is to move her, box and all, inside a brooder box I built A while back so she can set in a safe place (we have way to many predator problems to let her set where she was outside the pen).