Hi, I have been raising chickens for 5 years now, primarily meat kings up until last year. I decided to try egg layers and started with the brown egg layers. Then a friend gave me 9 chicks ,in the fall, that where a few different breeds that he had and until they grew we didn't know what they were. We had about 15 at the highest point, but a few raccoon attacks have left us with a single hen. We are looking around for some new chicks and are going to go for some heritage birds. But my question is this: A couple of days after the last attack the single hen started laying eggs and brooding them. How long could she possible lay any eggs that might be fertilized? She is currently sitting on 5 eggs and she has kept them warm and only gets up long enough for a quick drink and a bit to eat. I read about candling, but I haven't paid much attention to how long it has really been. I know a long intro, I promise to not be so long winded most of the time.
