We have 2 hens. One has been on the nest for over a month. She occasionally moves and we removed 22 eggs. She gets back on the nest and won’t get off. We do not have a rooster, he went in the pot 2 months ago.
Our other hen is none too happy and is only laying occasionally.
I seem to remember that a hen will sit about 3 weeks to hatch…but this is getting a bit long.
I was an egg farmer in my other life remove all but 1-2 eggs from the nest, mark them cause they are rotten by now, everyday gather the new egg that is layed that day to eat. As long as there is something to “sit” on the chicken will keep laying in that nest.You will need to get the old eggs out shortly cause if the explode the nest will be abandon also.As far as your other pissed off chicken…some hens just don’t make good layers so the become chicken nuggets:stuck_out_tongue:
I believe it is 21 days for chickens to hatch
PS I’m not an expert but did sleep on the couch last night
^ is correct,warm weather will bring it on,some hens get it,and others don’t.one of my 9 just finished,that spell lasted about a month.I do have to say, last week I dunked her 5 times in a bucket full of water,and it was over the next week.probably just a coincidence.good luck.
Occasional laying is normal now,it comes with the hot temps and the daylight hours.should pick back up closer to Fall.
how tough was that rooster?chicken and rice is about the only thing I do with them.
2 months is getting to the point were your hens are now unfertilized. You are correct on 21 days for a chicken. Pull all the eggs and trash them. Then start fresh and gather every egg you get each day. She’ll quit trying to set. Then when she starts laying again you’ll have pure eggs! My mom is a fanatic about not keeping a roster in with her laying hens. She has some crazy phobia about eating fertilized eggs!
I just recently got 2 hens, bantam. How long is to long to leave an egg in this heat before retrieving.
You ain’t drunk, till you’re Tickle drunk
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
2 weeks.hens produce what we call a "bloom",a protective coating that prevents bacteria from entering the egg.That is why its not a good idea to wash eggs.
Bacteria is the biggest enemy of eggs,keep it away.
I just recently got 2 hens, bantam. How long is to long to leave an egg in this heat before retrieving.
You ain’t drunk, till you’re Tickle drunk
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
In the summer I would gather every day if you are going to eat them. If you ever have a question about them put em in a pan of water if they don’t lay vertical I wouldn’t trust them. If they float handle with extreme caution.
