How long will a hen set on unhatched eggs?

[jrudd]

I have a white Rock who surprised me by going broody and actually started hatching eggs. I am not sure of the time between when all the eggs were laid but two have already hatched within the last two days. There are still quite a few under her, so my question is, how long will she set on those?

I have chick food and water where the hatched chicks can get to it. The chicks get out and run around a little while the hen stays on top of the unhatched eggs.

 

[sylviethecochin]

That really depends on the hen, and how close the food is to the nest, and whether she's being disturbed. Some will stay as long as the eggs are cheeping at them, some leave as soon as they have a good number of chicks. Can you candle the eggs to see if they're actually developed?

 

[jrudd]

I could candle them, I just worry about disturbing her to much. She can peck pretty dang hard. She will even grab skin and shake like a dog.. That doesn’t bother me, I just don’t want to bother her.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Go out at night, sneak the eggs into a bucket, then candle them at leisure, (Only if you trust yourself not to hurt yourself in the dark!) Return good eggs, toss bad ones.