Hen came off eggs - will they be okay?

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CarolynEarley

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One of our lovely chicken Rita Hen is broody and sitting on eggs. She sat on them for about 36 hours and then managed to get out and was off them for about 8 hours until I noticed her (she could not get back in). Bearing in mind that the air temperature here has been above 20C during those 8 hours does anyone know if they will have died so soon into the incubation period? Also, if they do stand the chance of surviving will I need to leave an extra day before candling them. They are turkey eggs, but I should not think that will make any difference? Please advise. :-)07
 
Hi Carolyn. Yes it is in the early period when they are most succeptable. But to your advantage is the air temperature and the size of the eggs. I would keep going and do everything a day late. They can survive a 12 hour loss of heat apparently and we've had someone in that position in a lot colder climate than you.
 
Hi Carolyn and welcome to the Forum. I agree with Chris- well worth continuing if she is now sitting again. Not much else you can do but wait and hope, anyway, is there? Looking forward to an update when hatching time arrives!
 
Thanks. I will leave her then, and if the worst comes to the worst I can give her hens eggs as a substitute after I candle them. ☺
 
I did this by accident a few weeks ago with a hen on some turkey eggs - she was off them for about 6 hrs on a very cold day, and they were stone cold, she got back on them and a week later all 8 hatched!! I don't know if it was because they were late in their development but the fact they can go stone cold and still survive just shows how tough they are!! - so fingers crossed for yours, I hope they survive!:)
 
Brilliant Alex, thank you! I had the same problem again today with a hen pushing open a fence that I thought was secure. However, this time she was only off the eggs for about 2 hours so hopefully they will be okay too. ☺
 
Hi, I have seen many posts on this subject ... I believe that eggs will survive up to 12 hours, even in cold temp, thus I would expect that they should hatch, provided they are fertile and have embryos developing. Good luck :-)17
 
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