How long can a hen leave her eggs before they die?

[vadams2000]

My hen has been sitting on a clutch of eggs for about 12 days now. At some point between noon and 7pm today, she left her nest and another hen came to lay an egg in her nest. The broody hen started sitting on another nest during that time and when I came back at 7 pm, she hadn’t returned to her clutch. I collected all the non incubated eggs and returned her to her nest but the eggs had been left for max 7 hours. Do you think there is still hope for hatching or are they lifeless now? I am going to candle for life tomorrow but is it possible they are still alive?

 

[LizzzyJo]

My hen has been sitting on a clutch of eggs for about 12 days now. At some point between noon and 7pm today, she left her nest and another hen came to lay an egg in her nest. The broody hen started sitting on another nest during that time and when I came back at 7 pm, she hadn’t returned to her clutch. I collected all the non incubated eggs and returned her to her nest but the eggs had been left for max 7 hours. Do you think there is still hope for hatching or are they lifeless now? I am going to candle for life tomorrow but is it possible they are still alive?

What’s the temperature in the coop? How long was the other girl sitting on them do you estimate?

If she’s 12 days in then I think she probably knows what she’s doing. They can go eat and take baths, etc and be fine. My guess is that they’re ok unless it’s very cold where you are.

 

[vadams2000]

What’s the temperature in the coop? How long was the other girl sitting on them do you estimate?

If she’s 12 days in then I think she probably knows what she’s doing. They can go eat and take baths, etc and be fine. My guess is that they’re ok unless it’s very cold where you are.

Inside the coop it was 70 degrees Fahrenheit. So the broody mama left the nest to go outside and relieve herself for about 10 minutes and my other hen came in behind her to lay an egg for maybe about 30 minutes. I think the broody hen thought the other hen was taking too long so she just decided to sit on another clutch of eggs and she never returned to her original nest until I collected the new eggs and returned her to it.

 

[LizzzyJo]

70? I think they’re fine. Of course I don’t know all the things going on and I am not an expert, but my broody has definitely taken long vacations from motherhood while brooding and everything was fine.

 

[Canadian Wind]

I've heard/read (On the Meyers site) that eggs had been left for several days and they still hatched, if a bit late. So as long as they didn't freeze, and obviously they didn't at 70, I don't think there will be an issue.

 

[vadams2000]

I've heard/read (On the Meyers site) that eggs had been left for several days and they still hatched, if a bit late. So as long as they didn't freeze, and obviously they didn't at 70, I don't think there will be an issue.

I hope so! I’m not sure how long they were left without heat but I’m guessing anywhere from 1-7 hours.

 

[Sussex19]

Broodys can make mistakes, and sit on the wrong nest.
There is a very good chance the eggs will be totally fine, although they may hatch a day later.
It has happened to mine, and they all hatched.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do you think there is still hope for hatching or are they lifeless now?

Obviously it is not something you want to happen, but it is probably not a disaster. Like many others on this forum something similar has happened to me. In my case the eggs were ice cold to the touch but the hen hatched 11 chicks out of 11 eggs. Those actually hatched a bit early, but my eggs often do.

Don't do anything dramatic. Give them the same chance you would as if nothing had happened.

 

[vadams2000]

Update…. I candled the eggs this afternoon and they were all moving inside the egg!

 

[Farmgirl283420]

Yes!!!!! Yay! I’m so glad!