Is this normal??

[graeber]

We decided to let one of our hens set on some eggs. There was a bit of trial and error involved as well as questions as to whether or not she was really broody. We ended up separating her in a "brooding pen" within the chicken pen. We are hoping this will help the rest of the flock to accept the new chicks. She has been setting on a dozen eggs for almost two weeks. She periodically gets off the nest for short spurts but always goes back to setting. I noticed two days ago that there are two eggs MORE than I had put under her. She has started laying again. Is this normal? Are those eggs fertilized? I don't want to candle to check I am at afraid to disturb her too much. Will she hatch them as well?? So much drama for our first hatching attempt. Any insights and/or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[nchls school]

We decided to let one of our hens set on some eggs. There was a bit of trial and error involved as well as questions as to whether or not she was really broody. We ended up separating her in a "brooding pen" within the chicken pen. We are hoping this will help the rest of the flock to accept the new chicks. She has been setting on a dozen eggs for almost two weeks. She periodically gets off the nest for short spurts but always goes back to setting. I noticed two days ago that there are two eggs MORE Could the hen have laid the two eggs at the beginning of the two weeks? than I had put under her. She has started laying again. Is this normal? If she has started to lay again, no, it is not normal; it happens but is not normal. Are those eggs fertilized? It is possible but most likely not. When a hen mates with a rooster successfully all eggs laid for the next two-three weeks can be fertile. A single mating can fertilize that whole clutch of eggs. I don't want to candle to check I am at afraid to disturb her too much. Will she hatch them as well?? If the hen broods for the next week and hatches those dozen eggs, or some of the 12, she will not hatch the "last" two even if they are fertile, as the hen will have long ago left the nest with the chicks that have hatched. So much drama for our first hatching attempt. Any insights and/or advice would be appreciated. Thanks. Is there any possible way another hen found a way in and out and is laying in that nest? You need not be afraid of candling eggs. The vast majority of hens will complain but will not leave their nests. I advise that you candle the eggs and remove those that are clear. Mark the good eggs as you candle them so any fresh eggs laid in the nest can be removed easily. You don't want her to brood more than the original 12. Hens can cover just so many; more than that eggs will chill and every time the hen moves, different eggs will chill and die.

 

[graeber]

I don't think another hen has gotten in. We saved eggs for 2 days from various hens and put them all under her at the same time. I happened to notice one broken egg the other day but counted and there were still the same number. Today when I counted there was one more. I will try candling tonight. Thanks for the advice.