Two broodys and thinking about letting them hatch eggs.

[m_shuman]

I am newer to chickens and I have 2 BA's that have gone broody. They went sometime while I was on vacation. They have stopped laying and sit on the nest all day long and at night too so I am pretty sure they are indeed broody. I have a few questions.....

1. how long will this behavior last?
2. Since I am not sure how long they have been broody would it be alright at this point in time to let them sit on some eggs or is there a chance they will be over it in a few days?
3. Do broody hens disrupt the laying behavior of the other hens in the flock? (I ask this because all of them have slacked off laying.)
4. If I do hatch eggs it would only be a few about 3. Is there any minimum number of eggs I should let them hatch?

Please any advice you can give me about broody hens would be appreciated.

 

[Den in Penn]

1. It will last as long as it lasts. Some break before the three week incubation, some three or four weeks, some just continue on and on.
2. Yes its' alright to let them brood. Once they start they usually continue until hatch. Since you have two if one stops you can give the eggs to the other.
3. That varies from flock to flock, and where they have chosen to sit. If you can move them to an out of the way place there can be less disruption. That may also break their brood.
4. There is only that they can't hatch air, they may try though. I would give each three. There can be attrition during incubation even under a hen. Then there is the rooster factor. And the chick deaths. I know you're thinking with my luck they'll all hatch and be hens and thrive and I'll have six more hens that I didn't need. You've heard of chicken math?

 

[sourland]

The period of broodiness can be all over the place. Most hens set the minimum of 21 days that it takes for eggs to hatch, some will quit early and some will stay broody for months if you allow this behavior. I doubt that they will be over their broodiness 'in a few days'. Give them enough eggs to assure that some at least are viable. Realize that half of the chicks that hatch will be cockerels. Good luck, and give it a try - you have nothing to lose.