How long do i let hens set on eggs

[chickenlil101]

My hens have been setting on the nest for 23 days. What should i do?

 

[chickenlady08]

Do you have fertilized eggs under her? the usual set time is 21 days but could go 1 or 2 more day longer. Have you candled the eggs to see if they are viable and have developed?

Is it possible to get some day old chicks to put under Momma so she will get off the nest and eat and drink?

Good Luck
Sorry got a little ahead of myself. Thinking of 2 different things. sorry about that.

 

[ranchhand]

Quote:
Huh? I am confused!

To the OP, it might be a good idea to candle the eggs, to check viability.

 

[dieselgrl48]

I used to check my broodie's once a day.I had sometimes a few hens that would lay in same box.I would mark the egg's with an X the first 7-10 days then if another new egg appeared an - .Hens will usualy roll out unfertile or unhatchable egg's.I have salvaged however a couple of ditched eggs by a couple of frizzle hens.I took the eggs and candled them and they were good and put in inc. and a couple actualy hatched.Then again I have had hens sit till egg's rotted and broke in nest not fertile.Phew

.Chickens only lay an egg a day so don't take the egg's away just because they dont hatch on day 21 give them time.Mama hen's are natural and she may sit those last few eggs a lot longer.

 

[dab045]

Man I am so bummed I left my mamma banty this morning with a little 5 day old chick under her and 3 eggs still to hatch( was giving her two more days then I was going to remove) and when I came home the little chick was gone! I was beside myself no sign of chick. I should of snatched her up and cared for chick while mother finished other eggs. so I heard up to day 25 to answer you question is when you could get a hatch and then candle then remove is what I would do. But I am still learning obviously. Well good luck on your hatch! i was posting questions about how long to keep hatched chick under mamma before she would give her water but I dont know if she will until all of them hatch.

 

[chickenlil101]

Quote:
yes they are fertile

 

[chickenlil101]

Quote:
yes they are fertile

Their are four hens setting on all eggs same nest same eggs!!?