Help with broody hen?

[williamsl77]

I have a hen that I think has been sitting on eggs since around Feb 7th. That would make today Day 22. I candled her eggs this morning and all five of what I candled were definitely still alive, though no pips internal or external. My hen is a 7 month old that disappeared on me and by the time I found her, she was sitting on her already developing eggs. Her eggs are typical pullet sized. I'm a little worried that they won't be able to hatch because they are so small and because my well-nourished hens lay thick-shelled eggs.

This morning I noticed that my hen seemed a little more restless than she has up to this point. Turning her eggs a lot and looking at them. Is this normal? Does she know her eggs are getting close to hatching? I'm ok to let her sit on the eggs as long as she needs. Just wondering what the chances are that these eggs WON'T hatch. She's sitting on about a dozen and all five that I pulled out and candled had obvious movement.

Anyway... what do you think? This is the first time I've ever had a broody hen. Anyone have such a young chicken successfully hatch?

 

[williamsl77]

The dad is a bantam cochin, FYI.

 

[sourland]

The chicks are probably cheeping and moving in the eggs if they are at 21 days. There is absolutely no reason why the eggs should not hatch. Leave her alone - mother hens know what to do -it's instinctive.

 

[williamsl77]

Ok, good. That's exactly what I want to hear. I so want her to hatch her babies and raise them. She is a super sweet little hen. My favorite from the beginning. I'm so excited for her.