Reliable broody off nest for about 13 hours

[brummie]

I've got a reliable broody that's hatched numerous batches in the past and been an excellent mother. She is a silkie x Light Sussex. Her nest is in her own broody area, away from the other chickens.

The temperatures been 50-60 degrees.

On this occasion (She's currently on day 12 of sitting) I came in the very early morning and she was off her nest. Throughout the day she did not go back on her nest, After about 4 or 5 hours I tried to force her back but she just jumped back out. Only towards the evening did I finally manage to get her back on the eggs and she happily sat down on them again.

She was off the eggs for about 13 hours. I have candled them, and they were/are developing on day 12 but after she has been off them for 13 hours do I still have any hope that these eggs may yet hatch? I know eggs can easily survive through 5 hours in warm weather, but 13 hours?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

My last hatch in my incubator, we lost power for a good 12 hours during an ice/snow storm....the first time. The power was on and off for 3 days before the weather stopped and the power company got things fixed. And the temperature in the room I keep my 'bators in got colder than 50* (luckily we have a wood stove, but the back half of the house got chilly, the thermostat back there read 45*).
Those eggs still hatched. Not all of them, but most If she stays on them, I'd give it a couple of days and candle them again to see if they're still alive.

Good luck!

 

[brummie]

Thanks for sharing your experience. That does give me some hope. Only a few more days to go, so I will leave these eggs under her to see if any hatch. She is off them for about 7 hours at a time now.