hen setting 1 egg what if not fertile?

[wistlindixie]

I have a hen setting 1 egg. Will she give up if it's not fertile or will the poor thing just keep setting???

 

[mstricer]

She will sit if she is truly broody. My BCM has been trying to hatch eggs all summer without success. My Spitzenhauben hatch 4 out of 5, and never left the nest not to eat, drink or poop. I offered but she didn't take it. Good luck. Do you know it is not feritile?
Michele

 

[wistlindixie]

I don't know that it's not fertile but she hasn't been laying long. I was actually getting her eggs that she was apparently trying to get collected. I never thought she'd be broody this soon after starting to lay. She's been on her little next of 1 egg for at least 3 weeks maybe close to four. I have no idea if the egg is fertile or not. I do have about 15 roosters though, so chances are pretty good ;-)

 

[peepblessed]

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15 roosters!

Have you thought of candling it? You could sneak it out at night.

 

[fishermans wife]

Incubation period is 21 days, give or take, so if she has been sitting 3-4 weeks and it has not hatched, then it is not going to is my guess. Even if it is fertile, stuff happens, and they don't hatch. I would not let it go much past 23 or 24 days without removing the egg, or find her some day old chicks to take care of.

 

[Lacrystol]

You have just as much Rooster that I do. I would candle it, after that long, I doubt it if its any good by now. If it's not soon it may explode under her WHAT A MESS that is to deal with.. Is she your only hen? If you have another hen or other eggs from one take that one out and put the others in...

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

15 roosters?

She isnt broody, she is scared to get up LOL!

 

[extraordinaryfowl]

I would candle if she has been on it for more then 21-22 days. If you intend to give her chicks or more eggs to hatch, then just leave her set (But it is a good idea to provide her food and water and separate her). You could stick some plastic Easter eggs or golf balls under her while you find fertile eggs or chicks to put under her.

Otherwise, I would break her up so she doesn't weaken herself (even if you provide feed and water, she still will grow skinny. It takes a lot of energy to set like a broody hen.). To break her up, put her in a cage or pen with a wire floor, or I use upside-down rabbit cages, set up a few inches. This way the air can drift under her at night and during the day. In about a week of this she should be back to normal, though some may be quicker or take longer. And provide her food and plenty of water!

edt: And yes, she will set for weeks or months! I had a hen sit for seven months!

 

[BarnGoddess01]

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(I only have 2 roosters and I have a couple of girls like that!!!!)

 

[peepblessed]

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