How long does it take a hen to hatch eggs?

[backyardflock1]

Well, do you have a rooster that fertilized the eggs? Is there only one laying box in the coop?

 

[AmericanMom]

I am asking this because I thought it was 21 days. I have to hens sitting and they have been sitting since at least June 13th and no chicks yet.

unless my math is off were talking about 45 days here.... Chances are she is sitting on duds or quitters, I would go out tonight and candle the rest if they are indeed goners I would try and find live 1 or 2 day old chicks to replace the eggs with ASAP

 

[sunshinehs]

Thank you for your help, I hoping to catch her when she comes out to check her nest but that hasn't happened yet, lol if I do catch her out should I try the candle thing under the eggs to see if I see anything? Or does a flash light work also?

 

[backyardflock1]

A flashlight through a funnel type thing could work and you put the egg on top flashlight on bottom or if the eggs aren't too dark shelled you could put the flashlight directly to the egg

 

[AmericanMom]

Thank you for your help, I hoping to catch her when she comes out to check her nest but that hasn't happened yet, lol if I do catch her out should I try the candle thing under the eggs to see if I see anything? Or does a flash light work also?

I use an LED flashlight and it has to be done when its good and dark, you wont see much in the daylight hours...

Candling doesn't mean an actual candle

 

[sunshinehs]

She is sitting on 6 eggs right now, 2 are hers, what happens if they hatch is there anything special that I have to do

 

[AmericanMom]

She is sitting on 6 eggs right now, 2 are hers, what happens if they hatch is there anything special that I have to do

Make sure she has access to food and water , she will teach the chicks to eat and drink, she will keep them warm and (hopefully) protect them from curious hens.. Other than that, sit back and enjoy

 

[sunshinehs]

The momma is a silkie, so from what I have heard they are.good mothers , now I just need to find out if any of them are fertile?

 

[kat1117]

I'm new at raising chickens and I find myself with my RIR sitting on 14 eggs thanks to her sisters. I don't know for sure the exact day she started sitting because I wasn't expecting it I guess. I moved her out of the main coop into a smaller coop I have 3 young chicks in. What should I watch for and what do I need to have ready if they do hatch. This is her first time too.

 

[AmericanMom]

I'm new at raising chickens and I find myself with my RIR sitting on 14 eggs thanks to her sisters. I don't know for sure the exact day she started sitting because I wasn't expecting it I guess. I moved her out of the main coop into a smaller coop I have 3 young chicks in. What should I watch for and what do I need to have ready if they do hatch. This is her first time too.

Make sure she has access to food and water , she will teach the chicks to eat and drink, she will keep them warm and (hopefully) protect them from curious hens.. Other than that, sit back and enjoy