Broody hen left her eggs

[JessRenee]

I have a hen who went broody about 5 days ago. Yesterday morning I put some hatching eggs under her and this afternoon when I got home I noticed that she was off her hatching eggs and on top of other eggs (not fertilized, we don’t have a rooster). I have no idea how long she was off the eggs, could have been hours. They were cold. Is it worth her trying to sit on them still? It’s only been a day, but I’m very new to this!

 

[nuthatched]

The egg will be fine.

 

[Henora]

I have a hen who went broody about 5 days ago. Yesterday morning I put some hatching eggs under her and this afternoon when I got home I noticed that she was off her hatching eggs and on top of other eggs (not fertilized, we don’t have a rooster). I have no idea how long she was off the eggs, could have been hours. They were cold. Is it worth her trying to sit on them still? It’s only been a day, but I’m very new to this!

Did she end up returning to the fertilized eggs that you wanted her to brood? Also, do you have your broody hen separated from the others? I have a hen that is sitting on eggs and I'm trying to decide if it would be better to move her to her own pen.

 

[daizy may]

The egg will be fine.

the same thing happened to me but my hen had sit 14 day, she is back sitting now could they still hatch?

 

[Australorpfamily]

Our broody was always on a different nest as we didn't separate her so when she got off to eat another hen would hope up and add more. I've read a hen can be off for 8 or more hours give or take and eggs will still hatch. I'd just gently move our Mama back to the correct nest and she'd be fine for a day or two lol good luck all!

 

[calychicken]

I suggest moving her to her own pen, so she doesn't have the option to sit on other eggs. between day 1 and 7 (I think) the eggs will be fine for 18 hours. So maybe try giving her a separate pen with food and water (Don't put the food and water right next to her as she will become stiff from not moving, and good luck!