How do i know if the eggs are gonna hatch?

[Nannyrachael]

Our neighbors chickens have taken residence in our yard and the other day we found one in the front seat of our old van sitting on 19 eggs! I'm wondering how I can tell if they are gonna hatch soon or if that's even possible. (Yesterday we also found another hen with a bunch of babies following her into an overgrown ditch in the backyard!)

 

[featheredplanets]

If they have a rooster then they’re fertile. But 19 eggs is a lot for one hen to cover so she may not hatch all of them out. You can candle to check for development but it sounds like they’re doing fine with the hands off

 

[Cherterr]

I had a nice little hen a long time ago, and she hatched 26 eggs! (I have a pic SOMEwhere on this computer.. lol
Found it! It actually only SHOWS 21, but I can assure you... there were 26.