How long can a hen be off eggs for?

[lemoniee]

Hi everyone!!

Im wondering how long is safe for a hen who is sitting on her eggs to be off them? she comes out in the morning with the rest of the hens for about 15mins and gets water and food then runs back to them, is this too long to be off her eggs? sometimes she gets her hen friends to sit on them for her or they are jelous of her having eggs (she had been broody for a while so we thought we'd seize the opportunity and give her some fertilized eggs to hatch!) im not holding out much hope for the chicks to hatch as this is the first time shes done this but she does seem to get the hang of sitting on them for the day

any advice would be greatly appreciated as this is the first time ive done this with a hen x

 

[Rock Wyandotte]

I wouldn't give up hope yet! Not at all. It's completely normal for a broody hen to leave her nest for 15 min. break each day. It shouldn't hurt the eggs at all - especially during the warm summer months. My guess is, you'll have a great hatch!

 

[Lollipop]

I agree with Rock. I`ve had hens that were off for almost an hour and stil had great hatches. Nature is a wonderful thing. Just let her worry about it.

I would be suspicious of the other hens setting on her nest. Be sure they aren`t laying extra eggs in there. That`s a No No.........Pop

 

[HenMamma]

I found with my girls that they sit on the nest and only get up long enough to relieve themselves and to eat. As the eggs grow older and are able to retain more heat, or if the weather is acceptable, they will stay off the nest longer.