Is it ok to add an egg under a broody more than24 hours after she started sitting on another egg?

[Hholly]

Hey y'all! I have my first broody who started sitting a day or so ago on one egg. I added another egg this morning. It's very cold here and I would be surprised if the eggs develop anyway. But is it bad that I added the 2nd egg? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[junebuggena]

If the first egg hatches, be prepared for her to abandon the nest before that second egg hatches to take care of the first chick.

 

[Hholly]

If the first egg hatches, be prepared for her to abandon the nest before that second egg hatches to take care of the first chick.

Ok, I'll try to watch for that and have a backup plan. If I have to hatch the second egg, I could potentially slip that baby under her during the night.

 

[junebuggena]

Maybe. It really all depends on how long it takes the chick to hatch, and how motherly the broody is. Some hens won't accept any chicks after 24 hours of the first hatch, some will try to mother anything and everything, including older chicks from other hens.

 

[Hholly]

I candled both eggs today and both are viable so far!