Mille Fleur hen laying question.

[PatSC]

I have had 4 red Cochin bantam hens for several years. 2 weeks ago I decided to buy a pair of Mille Fleur Old English Bantams. They are a very nice looking pair. Once the hen got settled in and started laying 2 days ago. The rooster has been in the same coop with the hen for several months. My question is: how long will eggs last before she gets her clutch together and sits until they hatch. I haven't tried to let mother nature hatch eggs b efore. Any help or comments are welcome. Thanks GREATLY. Pat in SC

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

A couple of weeks is a nice estimate I have read on BYC.

http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/2902/2902-1090/2902-1090.html
This link mentions 14 days as well.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! If you are going to let her hatch her eggs when she goes broody, what many people do is keep fake eggs in the nest and collect the real ones. Mark the dates on the real eggs and when you have collected as many as you want her to sit on, replace the older eggs with the newer eggs, and when she goes broody give her the real eggs back. That works well especially if the weather outside isn't ideal for keeping hatching eggs at their best.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Kelsie X2 Collect eggs, date them, let her set on fake eggs, and when you know she is definitely broody, slide the real eggs under her.

Enjoy all your poultry adventures and welcome to our flock!

 

[gander007]

 

[PatSC]

Great, thanks for your help.