how long can a broody hen be off her eggs?

[Chickie McFuzz]

I ended up taking mine inside to incubate. My broody was getting less and less interested, and one of the two eggs I gave her disappeared.I incubated with a homemade heating pad set-up that I found online. My one remaining egg never hatched.I'm not sure if the problem was my hen being off the egg too long or if it was my incubator. It was my first one, so I learned a lot. I'll be better prepared for the next one.
Brisseychick, You might be fine though, it sounds like an hour or two is fine. Mine was off much longer and more often.I would clean out the cracked egg.

 

[Brissychick]

Thank you very much for the update and advice, I really appreciate it.

I cleaned out the nest straight away and 2 days later I cleaned the eggs. I wasn't that to do then I read it could compromise the hatch. I'm worried about the bloom being gone. I've started taking the eggs upstairs during the day and popping them into the incubator. She was off the nest the whole day. It's early spring and still a little cool. I'm being very careful with washing my hands and keeping the coop clean. I will be shocked if any eggs hatch. Which is a shame as they are French wheaton marans. I will post the results.

 

[DixieLW]

Ya all are lucky. I think my little bantam wyandotte has a nest under my shed. Impossible to get to her or the eggs. She disappeared a couple days ago. I figured something had carried her off! Showed up yesterday for about a half hour and then disappeared. Made her 30 minute appearance today and gone again! No trees or bushes here (new property) so the shed is the only place she could be. Guess I'll know if/when new chcks show up!

 

[Susan945]

I know this is an old tread but I need some help. My Buff is broody and has been for about 3 weeks. We were still taking the eggs from under her. (usually around 6 to 8 a day from other hens.. I tried to move her the other night and she was not having it. She was out of the box and waking everyone up, I had placed her in a samller run along side the coop so she could see the other hens but she would be safe and placed fake eggs in with her. She kicked all the eggs out 4 different times and was mad at the world. So after 4 days of that i put her back in to the coop and she went straight for her box and got in.. I finally gave in last weekend and marked 4 real eggs and put them under her. We still have to move her each day to get the other eggs out but she seems happier...
Question now is when should I try to move her again with her eggs so hopefully the babies will hatch and she can be a good mama? What should I do if she rejects the eggs when I move her? I don't think it would be good idea to leave her in the coop with the other hens and 2 roosters.
Any and all ideas are more then welcome!!

 

[aart]

I know this is an old tread but I need some help. My Buff is broody and has been for about 3 weeks. We were still taking the eggs from under her. (usually around 6 to 8 a day from other hens.. I tried to move her the other night and she was not having it. She was out of the box and waking everyone up, I had placed her in a samller run along side the coop so she could see the other hens but she would be safe and placed fake eggs in with her. She kicked all the eggs out 4 different times and was mad at the world. So after 4 days of that i put her back in to the coop and she went straight for her box and got in.. I finally gave in last weekend and marked 4 real eggs and put them under her. We still have to move her each day to get the other eggs out but she seems happier...
Question now is when should I try to move her again with her eggs so hopefully the babies will hatch and she can be a good mama? What should I do if she rejects the eggs when I move her? I don't think it would be good idea to leave her in the coop with the other hens and 2 roosters.
Any and all ideas are more then welcome!!

Welcome to BYC @Susan945 !

Lots of variables with broody hens..... depending on your housing configuration, preferred management style, and flock dynamic.
Doesn't sound like it's a good idea to move her, you tried for 4 days and she wouldn't have it.
It's good she lets you remove fresh eggs.
Most broodies can hatch right in the coop with the flock, you may have to set up a creep feeder and waterer for the chicks.

Here's a great thread to read lots of examples and experiences and ask questions:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

 

[SunshineMollyR]

Hi,

Really sorry to jump onto your question but I am new to Backyard Chickens and do not know how to start a thread.

Can anybody help - I am in the UK. Today my broody hen left her eggs (actual time unknown but could have been for the day) since sitting on them for about 19 days. It was my fault as I moved her to a separate area of the coup with her eggs last night and thought she would be happy - obviously not, I guess she got through the tiny gap and joined the rest of the group. I found her sitting on a new egg in her original coup! Her old eggs felt very cold to touch, two of them looked quite brown. I replaced the new egg with her old ones and she has remained on them since. What is the chances of them hatching successfully? Can anybody advise what I should do next and how long is the maximum time they should sit on them? I feel awful about moving her now.

Thank you.

 

[aart]

Hi,

Really sorry to jump onto your question but I am new to Backyard Chickens and do not know how to start a thread.

Can anybody help - I am in the UK. Today my broody hen left her eggs (actual time unknown but could have been for the day) since sitting on them for about 19 days. It was my fault as I moved her to a separate area of the coup with her eggs last night and thought she would be happy - obviously not, I guess she got through the tiny gap and joined the rest of the group. I found her sitting on a new egg in her original coup! Her old eggs felt very cold to touch, two of them looked quite brown. I replaced the new egg with her old ones and she has remained on them since. What is the chances of them hatching successfully? Can anybody advise what I should do next and how long is the maximum time they should sit on them? I feel awful about moving her now.

Thank you.

Welcome to BYC @SunshineMollyR

There's a "Start a New Thread" button at the top and bottom of every page...unless you're on a mobile, then I don't know.

Nothing you can do about the broodies absence, I'd just make sure she can't escape again and keep a close eye on her.
Another 3-4 days and you should know if they hatch or not.

Here's a good thread to browse and ask questions https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/496101/broody-hen-thread

Best of cLuck to yas!

 

[SunshineMollyR]

Thank you.

Fingers crossed I have some Easter Chicks x

 

[dee34491]

MY Hen went Broody fr the first time last yr. I incubated her fertile eggs an gave her infertile store eggs. Then switched on day 18. She was off the nest 15-20 min. I would shoo her back in after she stretched her legs etc. Now she's a pro.!♡

 

[SunshineMollyR]

This is such a great site and everybody has such a wealth of knowledge. Thank you. I haven't taken the eggs away yet so fingers crossed x