What to do for a hen who's eggs did not hatch?

[shanbri]

I have a hen that adopted us from a farm down the road. She made a nest and laid 11 eggs in some debris under our tree. Bless her heart She has been there like a good mama 24/7 for well over a month and a half. I know nothing about chickens except to feed em, and feel so bad for her because i don't think there going to hatch after this long. So can anyone tell me what to do for her now, leave her alone, buy some companions for her, babies or adults, take the eggs from her? I just have no clue but I feel so bad. she has been such a good hen.
any advice will be appreciated.

 

[Josie]

Go ahead and try to discourage her broodiness. Take away the eggs and repeatedly take her from the nest. Some people use a wire bottom cage to break a broody. If she belongs to the farm she most likely will just return to her farm when she is done brooding. After this great experience, maybe you'll want to get some hens of your own?

 

[chicknmania]

We had a hen do that last year; she didn't even have any eggs, just imaginary ones, yet she sat on her nest for about six weeks. She wasted her whole summer. In her case it took us a while before we realized there were no eggs, then we took her off the nest and cooped her up for a while til she forgot about it; but I felt sorry for her. You could try getting some chicks, if you want, and put them with her, to see what she does. Or get some fertile eggs next time she goes broody, and stick them under her. Poor mama wannabe. Chickens are pretty social so if you don't want chicks and you can get her an adult friend, I would. The adults should be kept apart at least the first three or four weeks, if you're going to get one.

 

[shanbri]

Thank you so much for the advice. Not sure what I'll do but I would like some chicks running around. We just might get some and see what she does.
Thanks again

 

[priszilla]

I had htat happen to a couple of broodies this early spring- I got some day old babies and snuck them under them at night- and stole the old eggs. the babies and the moms were all delighted ( htere was one tiny problem- one mom stole all the baies so I had to get the one with no babies a baby- and seperate teh two moms- but in the end it was all good. the babies wern't even the same breed