Hen not sitting

[Blueyes132]

I have 2 reds that I think are laying eggs. So far I have 11 eggs but neither hen are laying on them. What do I do? Are they dead?

 

[marlene]

A hen won't just go broody because you are leaving the eggs in the nest. It is a hormonal factor as to whether they go broody or not.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi there

I too agree that just leaving the eggs in the nest box will not make a hen go broody. Yes it could encourage broodiness but there is no guarantee. Here are some threads on broody hens that I'm sure you will find helpful ~ https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=Broody+hens+#

 

[Blueyes132]

Are they dead or should I wait or should I just eat them? The temps here have been in the 80s if that matters.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

If your hen has not been sitting on them they will not have developed. Do you have a roo? If you have no roo mating your hens your eggs will not be fertile and nothing would be able to develop in them. Go ahead and eat them, don't waste those delicious eggs

 

[Blueyes132]

I have 2 Roos.

 

[Blueyes132]

How long are eggs good for if they've been sitting outside?

 

[junebuggena]

How long are eggs good for if they've been sitting outside?

Depends. Eggs kept on the counter, at room temp are good for about 2 weeks. If they've been left outside in very warm weather, I'd probably scramble them up and feed back to the birds. No reason to risk it. Also, collect eggs every day. Leaving them in the nest box will not induce broodiness. Brooding is controlled by hormones. Some breeds are very prone to brooding. Others, like production type reds, have had the broodiness bred out of them. Even in broody-prone breeds, young pullets aren't usually going to go broody before they turn a year old. Also, hens don't usually go broody in the fall/winter. It's the longer days of spring and summer that bring on the hormones for brooding.

 

[SedonaSunset]

Can anyone tell me how to post a new thread in a forum from an Android smart phone? I've read the instructions on how to post new threads but there doesn't seem to be that option on my phone. This is the only place I've been able to find where I can post something.

 

[SedonaSunset]

Never mind. Got it.