Nicol, you might try saving eggs for 3 weeks before you incubate them. Seems to me a larger cluster of chicks would have a better chance of survival that 4-5. I know people say that after 10 days eggs start loosing their hatchability, but I have game hens that lay off and on for over a month and have excellent hatches, even 100%. Just a thought.........PopMy hen is a very good layer so I have been sitting 4-5 a week. Maybe if I can get two or more out at once they will be happier chicks.
-Nicol