My broody hen is burying her eggs

[Creagh Lyons]

I have a broody hen. This is my first time letting her hatch her eggs. She has been sitting in her own brooding box with food, water and straw at her side. She is seven days in and this morning while I was feeding her, I noticed her eggs weren't under her. I was really confused as no animal could get in as there is a wire mesh over her box. I began fratically looking around for the eggs and found them COLD at the bottom of the box!!! I am worried that they may not hatch now. My questions are: how long can hatching eggs survive cold? Will mine survive? What will I do if they won't? Why did she bury her eggs if she has everything she needs right by her?

 

[Parront]

Hi! Welcome! Did you just move her, or has she been sitting OK in the same box the last 7 days?

 

[Creagh Lyons]

She has been sitting fine for the last three says, we had to move her as she wasn't getting along well with the other hen's. She is still acting as if they are still alive, she is hissing and still very defensive around her eggs and has sat on them all day(I removed some straw) But I'm just not sure if they are alive.

 

[Parront]

She has been sitting fine for the last three says, we had to move her as she wasn't getting along well with the other hen's. She is still acting as if they are still alive, she is hissing and still very defensive around her eggs and has sat on them all day(I removed some straw) But I'm just not sure if they are alive.

Have you tried candling the eggs? Eggs can survive quite a lot. I used to just let the orpington do all the work. there are some other very experienced incubator folks on here @rjohns39 is one .

 

[Creagh Lyons]

Have you tried candling the eggs? Eggs can survive quite a lot. I used to just let the orpington do all the work. there are some other very experienced incubator folks on here @rjohns39 is one .

Ok I will I will do that when it's dark, thanks!