Length of time to build a clutch?

[hlsmart79]

Hello,

I was searching for something and found an article claiming it can take a broody up to two weeks to build up her clutch. Is this so? I had 12 eggs out there, none showing any life-signs and brought half of them in. (Some had been there since last Thursday.) I'm thinking my impatience got the better of me and I should have left them alone...?

 

[Kessel23]

Chicken broodiness does not really depend on clutch building or size it's usually pretty random. I have some hens go broody every year and some just once and then never again. Ducks do set after they have reached a certain clutch size though and some of mine would take 3 or more weeks to get there last year.

 

[hlsmart79]

Should I be seeing life-signs after 4 days? The Tractor Supply guy said I may.

 

[Kessel23]

After 4 days of incubation when candling chicken eggs you will see embryo development if your light is good enough.

 

[hlsmart79]

This is what they all looked like. I'm assuming it will be obvious when there's an embryo? Would you see veins at this point, also?

 

[Percheron chick]

They will not start developing until she starts sitting. This insures the eggs will all hatch within a few days. Crack one and make sure it is fertile.
Nothing wrong with gathering eggs while she builds a clutch. Write the date on each egg. Place in an egg carton and leave on the counter. Turn the eggs a few times a day. When she starts sitting, give her the freshest 6-10 eggs and see what happens.

 

[hlsmart79]

She has been sitting on them. At least, she was. I like the idea of writing dates. Would you use a sharpie?

 

[Percheron chick]

I use a sharpie.
Crack an egg and check fertility. You are looking for a white spot about the size of a pencil eraser on the yolk. Tons of good threads that show fertile vs non fertile eggs.

 

[hlsmart79]

Thank you!