How long can a broody hen leave the eggs without affecting their viability?

[Mtnboomer]

So my brahma hen went broody about 17 days ago. After 8 days, she left the coop at 1st light, spent the whole day foraging in the yard and returned to roost that evening.
The next day, she was on the roost in the morning but returned to the nesting box at some point in time during the day. There she remained until today. This afternoon she was driven from her box by another hen and when she returned, she chose a different box.
There were 7 eggs in the nesting box where she had been sitting. I candled them and 5 were developing and 2 were empty (assuming laid today).
Since she was off the nest for nearly 8hrs today (temp of 72F) are those eggs still viable or were they chilled for too long?

 

[centrarchid]

Odds are you would get some delayed hatch if continued normally from here on out.


I would work more at preventing disturbances by other chickens, or set aside a couple hens that get broody for real. I suggest a couple game hens, and not the OEGB stuff. Then you can focus on keeping the layers in lay.

When I think mixed flock, it is based on function rather than color.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I can't mix my flock for other reasons. I have started an isolation room sovthat she can have full privacy now. We'll see if it helps.