Mother hen leaves eggs?

[Kristine Roegner]

I have a broody hen sitting on eggs. It is spring in ohio so it went below freezing and the mother hen went and sat on the wrong nest after getting food. It was probably a few hours and I’m not sure if they are dead or not. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[hysop]

How far along was she in sitting on them?

You can always try to candle them. Freezing temperatures can be easier to recover from than boiling temps.

 

[Kristine Roegner]

She’s only been sitting on them for three days so I can’t see anything yet

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

She’s only been sitting on them for three days so I can’t see anything yet

I had the same thing happen to me, but my broody gave up. She left them cold overnight as she moved to the other side of the run. 11/12 were still fertile and developed so i think yours should be fine.

 

[cluckadoodledoo13]

She’s only been sitting on them for three days so I can’t see anything yet

Wait until 7 days then candle them.

 

[hysop]

She’s only been sitting on them for three days so I can’t see anything yet

So she hasn’t gone back to sitting on them? Three days is still enough time for chicks to develop but only tiny veins