Help with broody hen please

[kiwichicky]

One of my chooks was broody for about 2wks and then I thought I may as well put her to use so got some fertile eggs for her to incubate. That was 10 days ago and she has been happily sitting on the nest and needed encouragement to go out at feed time, this morning I have gone out and she is our free ranging and the eggs are cold
Is it possible I missed the window of opportunity? Is there anything I can do to encourage her back on the nest or is it too late now that the eggs are cold?
I don't know anything about broody hens as in the 5yrs I have had chickens have never had one go broody!

Thanks for your help

 

[Megan Amber]

Hmmm. I hate it when that happens!! Yeah it seems to me like she's probably just done. You could do a few things that might work.
#1 You could put her back on the nest at night and see if that resparks anything.
#2 You could leave the eggs for a little. That might encourage either her or someone else to sit. Like I always say hens get "Broody Cooties"!! Good Luck Though

 

[sourland]

Some hens will set forever, and others will only set somewhere around 21 days. Her body/hormones told her that after 24 days her job was done, and she left the nest - it happens.