How often do hens come off their clutch??

[Firecracker]

okay, now what? I went to let the chickens out for a while, and a hen I thought was broody was down off the eggs and went on out to peck around. Does that mean she is not broody? How often and for how long do hens come off their clutch?

Thanks,
The Dummy

 

[Hens_And_Chicks]

My limited experience is that initially, the hen will not come off the nest at all - she will leave the nest occasionally for about 15 minutes per day to relieve herself, get a drink and eat. I have a Buff Brahma Bantam that just went broody last week and she was setting on air. I gave her 8 eggs out of the incubator and she has not moved since. Eggs due to hatch May 9th! Woot Woot!

 

[rancher hicks]

Well now I don't feel so bad. I have a broody bantam friz. I thought for a minute there was something wrong w/ her. All she had was a little wooden egg. I thought one egg? Wooden? She must be sick.
Anyhow she has gone broody before.
Mine usually get off one day. I think. But when they let go it's a cow flop. You wouldn't think they could hold that much. A couple nights ago my wife thought something was wrong cuz she barely got off the nest and she had a big pile hanging off the side of the nest box.

I had a Dom. I never saw off the nest. I use to give her bits of bread but I never saw her off the nest. I don't know what she did.. They're all different I guess.