So what does that mean??

[coyotesmommy]

My hen is acting broody, she goes and sits on the eggs, I just got her some that are fertilized she was sitting on them, but this morning when I opened up the coop she was the first one out!!

How cold do they get befor they are gonners? It is still nice here in North Texas. Should I leave them in the nest?

 

[MamaMarcy]

They all need a break...I'd give her a chance to do her hen outside thing and see if she goes back to the nest...

 

[Ukiah]

How long did she stay off of the eggs for? It's essential for a broody to get off of the nest
everyday to eat, drink and do her business. Maybe take a dust bath as well. Usually they're
off the nest for 15 minutes on average. Give or take a few minutes.

What kind of signs is she giving you that she's broody? Rolling eggs underneath her while
on the nest isn't a significant sign that she's broody, it's just nesting instincts. A bossy hen
with ruffled feathers, looks like a balloon, does that broody cluck, & Sits on the nest all
day - is your average broody hen.

If she was giving you all the signs of a broody, and is staying off of the nest loads longer than
she should, I'd suspect she isn't actually broody. She just thought she was. I recommend
letting a new broody set on fake eggs for a week before putting real, fertile eggs underneath
her. Why? Because they often sit for a day or two, then decide they're not broody.

First time broodies often aren't good sitters, and will not sit through-out the 21 day incubation
period, or will get off the eggs multiple times a day.

 

[coyotesmommy]

Well she pulled all of the feathers off of her belly. Then when ever I would come home she would be sitting on the egg that got laid that day, then after I took the egg she laid on the golf balls that I leave in the nest.

. She would puff up and make a soft shrill/ scream when I came up , as to say "Get away" So thought she was ready. She hoped back in the nest last night instead of the roost they all like to sleep on. I will leave them in there and let her practice. Thanks for the good info. Tomorrow is always another day. I will try again later.

 

[coyotesmommy]

Quote:
So if they get off the nest for long periods of time, than it's is over right?

 

[Ukiah]

Not necessarily 'over'. The eggs are probably still good. If you really want them to hatch, I'd put them
into the incubator. depending on how cool the eggs got & how long she was off of the nest, you may
expect a bit of a late hatch. Once she's really commited, I'd try again.

 

[coyotesmommy]

Quote:
Well today is the 14th and this is the first morning that she did not run out of the coop as soon as I opened the door

She did not leave the nest all this morning. But I leave for work at 8 am so we will see..... If anything I will let her practicing and get her some eggs later like you suggested.