How long will a broody sit on the nest?

[dreamer5577]

Just trying to get a rough estimate here. My silkie hen has been broody for almost 3 weeks now. I tried to hatch some of our own eggs, but none ended up being fertile for some odd reason. So, I ordered hatching eggs and will give her half and hatch half on my own - just in case. I am of course worried that she will give up soon since we are already almost 3 weeks into this ordeal.
What is your opinion on this?
What's the longest your broodys have sat on the nest?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

About 4 weeks,but she didn't stop acting broody until about 6 weeks,then she wouldn't stop peeping for like 5 months.She will probaly give up.

 

[dreamer5577]

About 4 weeks,but she didn't stop acting broody until about 6 weeks,then she wouldn't stop peeping for like 5 months.She will probaly give up.

Thanks! That's such a bummer. Maybe I'll just hatch all of them myself then.



Anyone else?

 

[JetCat]

typically unless they hatch something they'll keep setting long past 3/4 weeks, the problem you run into is their health can start to decline from devoting so much energy into brooding. give her a boost in the food she's eating and set the eggs, worse case you can add the eggs to the incubator if she abandon them, but it's very likely she'll set till they hatch.

 

[dreamer5577]

typically unless they hatch something they'll keep setting long past 3/4 weeks, the problem you run into is their health can start to decline from devoting so much energy into brooding. give her a boost in the food she's eating and set the eggs, worse case you can add the eggs to the incubator if she abandon them, but it's very likely she'll set till they hatch.

Thank you! Is there anything in particular that I can give her along with her food to keep her healthy?

 

[JetCat]

Boost her protein. swap her regular layer feed to a game bird feed or supplement by giving her boiled eggs along with her regular feed, or both.