New to buying fertile eggs

[Jemezhens]

Hello there!
I'm new to both BYC and buying fertile eggs. I have an uber broody hen who hasn't gotten off the nest since the end of May, no matter what I tried to break her of her "biological imperitave". I haven't had a roo for over a year so I broke down and bought an assortment of fertile eggs which I slipped under her 8/2. I have been nervous because all of my hatches have been from inside the coop (letting nature do her thing). She had switched nesting boxes before I put the eggs under her, she had a habit of stealing the other girls' eggs. What happens if she decides to switch boxes again while I'm at work?! Should I candle them?

 

[darkbluespace]

Hello there!
I'm new to both BYC and buying fertile eggs. I have an uber broody hen who hasn't gotten off the nest since the end of May, no matter what I tried to break her of her "biological imperitave". I haven't had a roo for over a year so I broke down and bought an assortment of fertile eggs which I slipped under her 8/2. I have been nervous because all of my hatches have been from inside the coop (letting nature do her thing). She had switched nesting boxes before I put the eggs under her, she had a habit of stealing the other girls' eggs. What happens if she decides to switch boxes again while I'm at work?! Should I candle them?

I bet that she will get pretty committed to her eggs once they start developing. If she should end up on the wrong box for a while, the eggs should still be fine. Eggs can get cold and still survive. Hens do naturally get off the nest daily and eggs do cool down. Make sure she is eating and drinking plenty because that is a seriously long time for a hen to be broody! I would candle them around day 7. We have an August hatch a long going if you want to join in : )

 

[Jemezhens]

Thank you so much for replying! She's still in the right box as of this morning. You mentioned that she had been brooding for a long time, my thought "That's a CRAZY long time!!!" She has her own waterer and food, she does get up at least once. Thanks for the advice, I'll candle them on day 7 and join in the August Mayhem.