What is normal?

[horsewishr]

When a hen lays an egg, assuming she's not broody, how long should she sit on it before leaving the nest. I've got one that will sit for 2+ hours. Is that normal?

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I've had that happen here at my henhouse....if I don't take the egg right away... just as soon as I take the egg away mine always gets up.......I've had hens take 2 hours before laying an egg too....

 

[Dawn419]

It's normal with my girls.

I have some that get up as soon as they are done laying (EE's) and others like our banty Mottled Cochins who seem to hang out for awhile after they're done.

One of the MC ladies decided to go broody for us last weekend. Hated to, but we went and broke her broody since we don't want any chicks right now with cold weather knockin' at our door, plus we're not set up with any extra space for them at this time. "Katie-bar-the-door" come spring, though!

Dawn

 

[bigzio]

It's normal for some of the hens to remain on the egg for a while before leaving the nest. Some hens will sit there for hours while most lay, announce the happening with their song ( if you can call it that ) and go back to being part off the flock.

bigzio