Moved my broodies

[Tvan18]

I had to move my 2 broody Silkie hens do to one stealing eggs and ending up with 17 under her after one left her clutch. The other only had 2. We brought them both into the garage and split the eggs between them. It’s been about an hour and neither will sit back on the eggs. Do I cut my losses of them hatching them and add them into my incubator before it’s too late? Or will they be okay awhile longer if I give them a chance to keep sitting? I’ve only had one broody before and she was also an egg thief but 3 hatched so she left the rest and my other Silkie took over and continued the thievery.

 

[Tvan18]

The issue I have with adding them into the incubator is that I’m on day 4 of eggs I started and these ones are all at different stages as well so upping the humidity wouldn’t be an option as of yet.

 

[Yardmom]

Moving broodies works best if moved to confined spaces. Normally my Silkies will sit anywhere there are eggs, My LF are not always so quick. I put them in at night and decide in the morning if they are settle.
You have eggs that have been started, so your temperature will affect how long the eggs can wait I don't know how long, but in summer temperatures eggs can survive at least several hours.
Also it is normal for broody Silkies to collect as many eggs as possible.

 

[Tvan18]

Thank you. I have them in my water tanks (pictured with chicks previously in them) I use as brooders for my chicks I typically hatch in my incubator.