How Long Do Chickens Sit On Eggs Before They Hatch?
A broody chicken will give up her life to lay on her eggs. She is one of the most dedicated and amazing mothers on the planet. Find out how long do chickens sit on their eggs before they hatch…
Warm Weather Brings New Life
When the days get longer and the heat ramps up, hens become motherly. They will often lay a clutch of eggs and become broody.
The hen that is ready to become a mother will stop eating, stop drinking, and dedicate her life to her nest. Even if there are no eggs for her to love on. It is really a heartwarming sight to see.
Right now, On Yankee Farm, we have 2 mother hen’s. They are a beautiful gift from God to see. Unfortunately, our Gamecock mother hen lost all of her own babies to a predator. Consequently, she stopped laying eggs but we were able to help her adopt 10 new baby chick eggs to hatch.
Our other mother hen, the black Australorp, was only able to hatch 1 baby chicken. Who she would kill for! We have introduced another baby chick for her to raise but she has not taken that one in as easily. Luckily, she has let it stick around.
Questions and Answers:
How do I get my chicken to sit on her eggs to hatch them?
If you want your hen to lay on her eggs, allow her to collect around a week’s worth of fertile eggs in her nest. Like humans, some hens are more motherly than others. You will know which one is ready for the task by how she behaves. She will refuse to leave the nest and will defend it with everything that she has.
If she is broody and has no eggs you can break her of this behavior or give her some fertilized eggs to hatch. They do not have to be her own for her to love them.
Can chickens sit on eggs and hatch them if there is no rooster?
This seems to be a major misconception for people who are new to raising chickens. Let me explain, chickens can lay eggs without a rooster. This does not mean that there are baby chickens in the eggs. The eggs are not fertile. Every female, chicken or human, is already born with all the eggs that they will ever have. They are released even if there are no males present.
Only fertilized eggs can hatch baby chickens.
How many eggs will a chicken lay before she sits on them?
A chicken will lay a “clutch” of eggs which is about a week’s worth. So, around 6-7 eggs will be laid before she will sit on them.
How long can eggs sit out without a heat source?
The eggs may survive and stay fertile for around a week without a chicken sitting on them or being incubated.
Can I leave my broody hen in the coop?
Yes, I would just make sure that she is separated from other chickens. Additionally, make sure that she has her own personal water and feed.
What if my chicken starts plucking out her feathers?
She is creating skin-to-egg contact. Ain’t that so sweet?! She is trying to help her eggs stay warm.
How long do chickens sit on eggs before they hatch?
This question all depends on the breed of chicken. On average the mother hen will sit on her eggs for about 21 days. The eggs will not begin to grow until they have a heat source.
Have you let your Chickens hatch their own eggs? Tell me about your experience in the comments below.
Check out these other great articles from On Yankee Farm
very informative I have had a lot of chickens over the years but nevrr knew any of what you shared. thanks for sharing
Thank you!
Great guide to HOW LONG DO CHICKENS SIT ON EGGS BEFORE THEY HATCH? This has important information for those who are just starting out with chickens, or those interested in learning more about them.
Thank you!