My Hen's eggs are a few days overdue, and she seems to be spending less time in the nest box than before. Does anyone know if this means anything? Does she know they are empty and is therefor disguarding them, or do they need less warmth etc... from their mother close to hatching??? As I mentioned in Breeders chat, I candled them and about 1/3 of the egg is dark inside, and the eggs are really white. I think i also saw something move inside one of them... or not ... any thoughts????

How overdue are they? The first few that she laid may be the infertile ones and the ones that are due later are fertile. generally wait until the last egg has reached about 27 days of age before considering removing them.

I'm not an expert, but if I remember correctly, when an egg is due to hatch it needs less heat.

Hatch date also depends on when the egg was properly incubated rather than when it was laid. I think eggs can remain viable for a number of days after laying without proper incubation, therefore extending the hatch date.

 

I'm sure your chicks will come soon

How overdue are they? The first few that she laid may be the infertile ones and the ones that are due later are fertile. generally wait until the last egg has reached about 27 days of age before considering removing them.

 

Yeah, cool. Wasn't gonna remove them yet... Just wondered if it was normal for her not to be spending as much time in there. First was laid on 5th Nov, last 14th Nov. She had five and one was infertile. So I have plenty of time for the possibilty of babies. Thanks xx

the heat from the days can cause her to spend a bit more time out of the box or it could even be with you wanting to check you have done so a bit more often than before.

Are the eggs cold to touch,if so,she has given up siting on them,Perhaps she has got sick of you looking at them. :budgiedance:

Are the eggs cold to touch,if so,she has given up siting on them,Perhaps she has got sick of you looking at them. :budgiedance:

 

 

Yeah, cold to touch... I have only been checking the nest box twice daily, same as before. I ended up swaping her eggs for her neighbours eggs (which are empty)... so hopefully the hen who is continuing to sit on the eggs will hatch those. Fingers crossed x

Are the eggs cold to touch,if so,she has given up siting on them,Perhaps she has got sick of you looking at them.

 

 

Yeah, cold to touch... I have only been checking the nest box twice daily, same as before. I ended up swaping her eggs for her neighbours eggs (which are empty)... so hopefully the hen who is continuing to sit on the eggs will hatch those. Fingers crossed x

Good idea

Are the eggs cold to touch,if so,she has given up siting on them,Perhaps she has got sick of you looking at them.

 

 

Yeah, cold to touch... I have only been checking the nest box twice daily, same as before. I ended up swaping her eggs for her neighbours eggs (which are empty)... so hopefully the hen who is continuing to sit on the eggs will hatch those. Fingers crossed x

 

You might be lucky,its depends how long she had been off the eggs & how cold they

got,if there is no chicks in a day or so.You might be out of luck.

Are the eggs cold to touch,if so,she has given up siting on them,Perhaps she has got sick of you looking at them.

 

 

Yeah, cold to touch... I have only been checking the nest box twice daily, same as before. I ended up swaping her eggs for her neighbours eggs (which are empty)... so hopefully the hen who is continuing to sit on the eggs will hatch those. Fingers crossed x

 

You might be lucky,its depends how long she had been off the eggs & how cold they

got,if there is no chicks in a day or so.You might be out of luck.

 

Thanks for that. I was wondering how long she'd been off them for? They were pretty damn cold! Fingers crossed though. Thanks all for your advice xx

My hen hatched 4 chickees from stone cold fostered eggs, so there is heaps hope for any little cold ones.

My hen hatched 4 chickees from stone cold fostered eggs, so there is heaps hope for any little cold ones.

 

 

Brilliant!!!!!! Thanks so much. Will say some prayers for the little unhatched chickees. Cheers Sailorwolf xx

You're welcome