How long does it take a hen to hatch eggs?

[vpatt]

They sometimes get off the eggs for snacks and potty breaks. I have only had two broodys. One hardly ever got off the nest and one gets off everyday for a few minutes.

 

[Granny Gwen]

OK I am new to the egg hatching. My hen "blonde" has been sitting on eggs for 17 days. I marked the original eggs under herbecause the other ladies will make deposits when blonde takes a break. This morning I noticed a shell piece beside blonde. I pet her head to see if she would move a little shortly after she jumped up and accidentally stepped and cracked an egg. The shell I saw was nothing but yolk she must of pecje. But this one she stepped on has a chicken in it. And it is moving around. I fear it is not ready for it has only been 17 days. I have it on a heating pad low heat. Do I need to do anything else for my baby peep

 

[Granny Gwen]

This is what the egg looks lije. I have not removed any shell. For fear it will disturb the chick

 

[cathy d]

Didn't hear or feel anything. I did candle 2 eggs and there is definitely chicks in them that looks very close to time.

How far along were the eggs before you can hold them? I was wondering because I have two hens laying eggs in the same nest I now have 11 eggs so I was just wondering

 

[cathy d]

Didn't hear or feel anything. I did candle 2 eggs and there is definitely chicks in them that looks very close to time.

I'm wondering how far along the eggs were when you can hold them? Because I have several eggs in my nest

 

[sweetsugar2242]

You can touch them whenever you want to candle them. When you put them back they will start sitting on them.

 

[sweetsugar2242]

It takes about 21 days for the eggs to hatch. You can touch the eggs anytime, just put them back and she will start sitting on them again.

 

[cathy d]

thank you comma I have to new laying hens I did take an egg out of there and it was fertile a couple weeks ago so I was just letting her lay eggs realized both of my brown leghorns are laying in the same nest so maybe they'll both sit thank you for your help

 

[KosmoKeaton]

Hope someone could help. I have a broody hen that is suppose to hatch (14) eggs today. I just wasn't sure if and when I should take chicks into the house to the brooder. I am in Pennsylvania and the temperature drops into the low 20s at night. I'm afraid that if I don't bring them in then they will die from the cold. I'm assuming that I shouldn't take them until they are dry. Should I take them at night? Should I take mom in also? If anyone could help I would appreciate it.

 

[rebrascora]

@KosmoKeaton

Hi

What makes you think that the chicks will die from the cold if you don't take them indoors? The broody hen will keep the chicks warm and alive just as she has been keeping the eggs warm during incubation. In the same way that chicks huddle under the heat lamp in a brooder when they need warmth and run around the cooler parts of the brooder when they don't, the chicks will run under their mother when they need warmth.
Broody reared chicks are usually hardier that those raised in an artificial brooder. the only time they will die from the cold is if they fall out of the nest and can't get back in, so make sure there is a good lip all round the nest until hatching is over and then remove them from the nest so that the broody can brood them on the ground.

Good luck with your hatch and please don't take the chicks from the broody once they hatch. One of the greatest joys of chicken keeping is watching a broody look after her chicks.

Best wishes

Barbara