I live here in Los Angles, California. This is my first year breeding IRN.
My hen is proven, but the Cock is only a little older than 2 yr. They went thru the breeding ritual and had their 4 eggs. The hen incubated for 25 days, and I let her. I did not want to disrupt her so I wait until the hatch day since it's their first try . Well, anyway, due to the lack of experience of the Cock I guess, and he shoot blank, and the egg are infertile. My question to any of the more experience breeder is how long should I remove the net box and let the hen rest before it is safe for me to let her start the new clutch, and hopefully get some babies IRN. Thanks in advance for any repl
How long should I let the hen rest after infertiled clutch
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Hello neighbor. I'm from LA also.
Just remove the infertile eggs and leave the nestbox in there. If I may ask, when did you candle the eggs? It's almost the end of breeding season but it may still be possible for them to have another clutch. But I notice it's starting to get warmer and actually some of my IRNs are already moulting. But it doesn't hurt to leave the nestbox in there for a few more weeks. You have nothing to lose.
By the way, I think the most tedious and ardous part of breeding is the rearing of the young and since they haven't done so yet, there really is no need to give them a break just yet. They will do it on their own pace if they want to lay eggs again. Just make sure they are on a good diet with lots of sunshine.
Just remove the infertile eggs and leave the nestbox in there. If I may ask, when did you candle the eggs? It's almost the end of breeding season but it may still be possible for them to have another clutch. But I notice it's starting to get warmer and actually some of my IRNs are already moulting. But it doesn't hurt to leave the nestbox in there for a few more weeks. You have nothing to lose.
By the way, I think the most tedious and ardous part of breeding is the rearing of the young and since they haven't done so yet, there really is no need to give them a break just yet. They will do it on their own pace if they want to lay eggs again. Just make sure they are on a good diet with lots of sunshine.
OH I did not candle the eggs until the 25th day LOL
well, I was suppose to wait for the hatch day because I didn't want to disrupt them. Anyway, thanks for your respond, I guess I'm gonna go ahead and put the box back and wish me luck.. 
Hi again,
It's really OK to ocassionally check on the hen and her eggs/chicks. I actually encourage that you condition your hens/pairs to get used to you checking in on them on a regular basis.
I usually candle on the 7th day after the second egg is laid since most hens actually start incubating after the second egg is laid. The fertile eggs will show some red veins at 1 week. Older fertile eggs will show a black blob inside. If your flashlight is strong enough, you can actually see the yellow egg yolk for non-fertile eggs.
On the first week, if you notice some or all eggs to be infertile, candle again after another week in which case remove the entire clutch if all of them are infertile. Leave the nextbox in there and hope for a second clutch. If for example your hen has five eggs and 1 or two are infertile, I would remove the infertile eggs now to give the fertile eggs more chance at being incubated properly.
It's really OK to ocassionally check on the hen and her eggs/chicks. I actually encourage that you condition your hens/pairs to get used to you checking in on them on a regular basis.
I usually candle on the 7th day after the second egg is laid since most hens actually start incubating after the second egg is laid. The fertile eggs will show some red veins at 1 week. Older fertile eggs will show a black blob inside. If your flashlight is strong enough, you can actually see the yellow egg yolk for non-fertile eggs.
On the first week, if you notice some or all eggs to be infertile, candle again after another week in which case remove the entire clutch if all of them are infertile. Leave the nextbox in there and hope for a second clutch. If for example your hen has five eggs and 1 or two are infertile, I would remove the infertile eggs now to give the fertile eggs more chance at being incubated properly.
that last msg really help, thanks you very much for these feed back. As of now, I did reopen the box back for the hens to try again. Well, my aviary are actually set up that I have to be inside to replace food and water. also where the nest box are. I put 2 box inside, and yes, they are acquainted to me stepping in and out. Although they are a little panic if I get too close, but they'll stay their ground if I stay on my side of the aviary. Anyway, thanks for your help, and it seem that they are willing to try again for the next clutch. I hope it'll be soon, since weather seem to warm quicker now..