too late to add eggs to broody hen?

RubelliteRose

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We have an unexpected broody hen:celebrate She spent the last few days toying with going broody and finally decided to sit continuously starting late Monday afternoon.
Yesterday, Tuesday, I pulled out the eggs she was sitting on to see whose she had and decided to let her keep them as I think she has one of her own. We had eggs on the counter, but decided on Sunday that she was just messing with us and wouldn't go broody so put them in the fridge:he. This morning, Wednesday - less than 48 hours- one of the other hens that I would like to hatch from is getting ready to lay an egg. I assume it is too late to add that egg to Sage's collection, but I thought I would ask, just in case. This is our first broody and completely unexpected as she is a McMurry Ameraucana (EE), so most of I have read about broodies has completely left my head🤣
- yes, we do have an incubator in case she breaks half way through🙂
 
No, it's not too late. My broodies have hatched duck and Peahen eggs which hatch at 28 days, so you can give her some eggs to hatch.
Mark the eggs you want her to have so no new eggs get added to her nest and then would hatch at different times.
 
We would be adding extra eggs to the eggs she has already sitting on for almost 2 days. I was thinking it would be too much of a staggered hatch, but was hoping it would be ok 🙂
 
Hens generally leave the nest within 24 to 36 hours after the first egg hatches. This is why staggered hatches frequently have problems.
 
That is what I was afraid of. I'm pretty happy with the eggs she has, so we will most likely let her keep those instead of switching them out for new ones 🙂
 
And yes, I marked the ones I pulled out yesterday before I put them back under her. Just in case someone decided to try and sneak others in the box. We also set up a trail cam to make sure she is leaving to eat and drink 🙂
IMG_20220608_082757264.jpg
 
Since you have a backup incubator, I would still put the other egg in that you wanted.
I would, but you can do what you'd like. :)
 

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