how long can eggs go with no heat?

[roostersandhens]

Hi! i have a broody hen. she has been sitting on eggs for a 16 days how long do you think the eggs could go with no heat from my broody hen? please reply as soon as you can
Thanks!

 

[TweetyNPetey]

Why is the hen no longer sitting on the eggs? How long has it been since she got up? She may be just getting a drink and food. It's the natural cooling process.

Hope I helped!

 

[roostersandhens]

she is on the eggs! i just am curious to know how long and i need to know because i need to force her to take a break if i do not she will not eat or drink i just need to know how long her break can be but thanks anyway!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

She will get down and eat, drink and poop as needed. It will be very infrequently but you do not need to force her to do it.

 

[roostersandhens]

ok i just read in a book that u need to

 

[sumi]

Broodies don't eat or drink much, so they sometimes don't get up for a day or 2. Put food and water near her, but not to close. Just so she can see it, but need to get up to get to it. This will encourage her. Don't be tempted to feed her o the nest though. This may cause her to relieve herself on the nest and it will mess up the eggs.

It takes awhile for the core temperature of the eggs to drop, so she can stay off the eggs for quite awhile without harming them.

 

[roostersandhens]

ok the eggs are going to hatch in 2 days anyway