My hen is broody

[Motherhen1165]

One of my young hens has decided to go broody and she has taken 9 eggs From the other girls in the co-op we are not sure which of the eggs are fertilized will she sit on them until they hatch?? what if some are not fertile and do not hatch

 

[nchls school]

One of my young hens has decided to go broody and she has taken 9 eggs From the other girls in the co-op we are not sure which of the eggs are fertilized will she sit on them until they hatch?? what if some are not fertile and do not hatch

Many hens brood the necessary time it takes for chicks to hatch; and when they hatch the hen/chicks will leave the nest and any unhatched eggs. Those eggs then should be discarded. I'm not sure why you think some eggs are fertile while others are not. If there's a rooster present and 10 or so hens, all the eggs would, most likely, be fertile.

 

[Motherhen1165]

Many hens brood the necessary time it takes for chicks to hatch; and when they hatch the hen/chicks will leave the nest and any unhatched eggs. Those eggs then should be discarded. I'm not sure why you think some eggs are fertile while others are not. If there's a rooster present and 10 or so hens, all the eggs would, most likely, be fertile.

I have three rosters and 20 hens. The main roo does not let the two other little and younger roos go anywhere near the hens. They stay on the roof of the coop . I did not know if he mounts all the hens .

 

[nchls school]

I have three rosters and 20 hens. The main roo does not let the two other little and younger roos go anywhere near the hens. They stay on the roof of the coop . I did not know if he mounts all the hens .

Yes, that could result in some hens laying infertile eggs, but I'll bet the boys on the roof come down every chance they get. And boss boy can't be watching all the time.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

I usually candle the eggs under my broody hen to check for viability just like I would in the incubator, just not as often. I might do it twice under a broody. If you're not separating her from the main flock I would also recommend marking the eggs you want to keep under her because she will continue to take other eggs or other hens will lay in her box and you will ultimately be left with many unhatched eggs that are in different stages of development.

 

[Motherhen1165]

I usually candle the eggs under my broody hen to check for viability just like I would in the incubator, just not as often. I might do it twice under a broody. If you're not separating her from the main flock I would also recommend marking the eggs you want to keep under her because she will continue to take other eggs or other hens will lay in her box and you will ultimately be left with many unhatched eggs that are in different stages of development.

I have locked her in the main coop . Tried moving her and her eggs and it did not work out.

 

[Motherhen1165]

Yes, that could result in some hens laying infertile eggs, but I'll bet the boys on the roof come down every chance they get. And boss boy can't be watching all the time.

One tries but he gets chased..its quite sad..