Hens laying eggs in winter

[Angel1214]

I have a big Rhode Island red rooster and a Rhode Island red hen with a Rhode Island blue hen in one coop and I have 6 eggs now but the only one that lays one the eggs is the Rhode Island red hen but don't lay on the eggs until night time.... And it has been cold during the day and night. Are the eggs still good to leave in the coop for baby chicks? Or do I need to get the eggs out of the coop? And will it depress the hen if I take the eggs?

 

[Aapomp831]

If you don’t have a broody chicken they will not hatch. A broody chicken will sit on eggs 24 / 7, only taking short breaks to eat and poop. If they only sit on them at night, they are not broody. Do they not have a roost? Anyway, without a broody or an incubator there will be no chicks. And no, a non broody chicken has no interest in eggs once she has laid it.

 

[Angel1214]

If you don’t have a broody chicken they will not hatch. A broody chicken will sit on eggs 24 / 7, only taking short breaks to eat and poop. If they only sit on them at night, they are not broody. Do they not have a roost? Anyway, without a broody or an incubator there will be no chicks. And no, a non broody chicken has no interest in eggs once she has laid it.

They have a roost but the hen only sits on the eggs at night. So if I take the eggs away from her will she depressed?

 

[Aapomp831]

They have a roost but the hen only sits on the eggs at night. So if I take the eggs away from her will she depressed?

No not at all. A chicken only cares about her eggs if she is actively broody - meaning her body is telling her to hatch eggs. If not broody, she couldn’t care less. Do you understand how the whole process works?

 

[WallyG74]

No she will not be depressed. Take the eggs and make her sleep on the roost.

 

[Angel1214]

No not at all. A chicken only cares about her eggs if she is actively broody - meaning her body is telling her to hatch eggs. If not broody, she couldn’t care less. Do you understand how the whole process works?

Yes I do understand the process. When I got her she had babies with her and she is laying eggs again after 8 months but she is only laying on them at night.

 

[Aapomp831]

https://www.thehappychickencoop.com/chicken-life-cycle/

This may help you better understand. Collect those eggs and enjoy them! That’s the whole point

 

[WallyG74]

Roost and nest are two totally different things. Roosts are up high for sleepy time. They perch up on them. The nest is down lower for laying and possibly hatching eggs.

 

[Aapomp831]

Yes I do understand the process. When I got her she had babies with her and she is laying eggs again after 8 months but she is only laying on them at night.

Ok, then she won’t go broody again for at least another season. I would take those eggs and enjoy some yummy breakfast

 

[rosemarythyme]

She's not broody so the eggs will not hatch nor will she raise them. She might be thinking about it, but is not yet committed. I would collect the eggs and check each one by cracking into a cup before using, just in case there is some development from her sitting on them at night.

Even if you want to hatch it's best to 1) wait for warmer weather and 2) collect the eggs as they're laid, ensure the hen is reliably sitting for a few days both day and night, and then slip them under her so they'll all develop at the same time.