How long does it take a hen to hatch eggs?

[sumi]

See how the others react to the chicks and how she does, if she's good protective mom. It's better to let a hen raise her chicks in with the rest of the flock, but it does happen sometimes that the other chickens may get aggressive towards the chicks. This is the exception though.

 

[sunshinehs]

Yay, her eggs hatched they are 4 days old. Today was the firest time they were actually out and around the other chickens s, there was a litle pecking but we watched aND then all was fine. But I'm still worried. When I went back to check on all of them, momma was up in her perch and babies were still out. Just not sure what I should do?? Any help please

 

[sumi]

Sorry, I only saw this now. Did she get down to sleep with her chicks? She should for the first few weeks, though some hens seem to prefer the roost...

 

[the ckn whisper]

its been 2 weks so I guess we are still all right. Thanks

 

[vpatt]

My broody moved off her eggs back to her original nest.....this is day 10. The eggs were still warm so I rushed them to her and she is covering them nicely again. I had moved her to a safer place but I guess she felt differently. Eleven days to see if any hatch.....there are only four. They are from a neighbor as my rooster is still a boy.

 

[frizzylizzy2003]

hi byc! i have 2 austra white hens sitting on aracauna eggs and they sit in the nesting box together - my question is will they no who's chick is who's? also should i candle them they've been sitting on them for about 2 weeks they hatch on the 23rd

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

i also wondered if i had to do anything special? thx
i got my eggs from a lady who had alot

 

[sumi]

frizzylizzy2003 I just answered your question on your thread

 

[sunshinehs]

Mine silkie sat on another silkies eggs, ssue sat on them and has raised them like her own. So I don't think they who are whos, but they take care of them as if they were there own also you can candle them to see if there's anything in there. That's what we did and it was pretty cool. The day before her eggs hatched you could hear peeping come from inside the 2 eggs, it was pretty cool good luck on your hatching

 

[Aaron Wellons]

Does the hen have to stay on the egg at all times?

 

[bobbi-j]

Does the hen have to stay on the egg at all times?

A broody hen will stay on the eggs pretty much at all times. She will get up once or twice a day for a while to eat, drink, relieve herself, and stretch her legs for a bit before going back on the nest. She will be off the nest for maybe 20-30 minutes, give or take. You don't have to do anything to "make" a broody stay on the nest. If she's truly broody, she'll do that all on her own.