10-month-old hen incubating eggs

[calychicken]

We have a ten-month-old Japanese bantam x OEGB who went broody after another hen in the flock went broody. She is sitting on 4 eggs that are hers, which are about 1 and a half inches long and an inch wide at the center. We have two roosters, one of which has a hurt leg but still tries to mate with the hens, and another rooster who is too big for her. Does anyone think the eggs have a chance at hatching? My main concern was that they are too small for anything to be able to develop in them, because they are tiny.

 

[Debbie292d]

I've heard it suggested that eggs from a new layer shouldn't be incubated because they could have embryonic issues. Well, then they won't hatch most likely. In breeding pens, I know whose is whose, but in the general population, if a new layer laid an egg, other than it being smaller, I didn't know. I incubate them all. Perhaps if one didn't hatch, maybe it was that one. I have almost almost 100% hatch rate on my own eggs so surely there are some young pullet eggs running around here as chicks now.

 

[HonkABC]

I do currently have a healthy chick from a pullet's first egg, but it was quite large for a first egg. All my other chicks right now came from eggs at least three weeks after the hen started laying. For a small breed though, it should be fine. Generally, I don't hatch eggs from my chickens until they reach a consistent size.

 

[Slothinc]

We have a ten-month-old Japanese bantam x OEGB who went broody after another hen in the flock went broody. She is sitting on 4 eggs that are hers, which are about 1 and a half inches long and an inch wide at the center. We have two roosters, one of which has a hurt leg but still tries to mate with the hens, and another rooster who is too big for her. Does anyone think the eggs have a chance at hatching? My main concern was that they are too small for anything to be able to develop in them, because they are tiny.

I would suggest candling the eggs if she has been sitting on them for a week. Then you will know if they were fertilized and started developing or not.

 

[calychicken]

I do currently have a healthy chick from a pullet's first egg, but it was quite large for a first egg. All my other chicks right now came from eggs at least three weeks after the hen started laying. For a small breed though, it should be fine. Generally, I don't hatch eggs from my chickens until they reach a consistent size.

She started laying a few months ago. Her eggs have stayed that same size, and she is about the size of a serama. I think she has only had the eggs for at most 2 days, but I will candle them to see if there is anything.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My main concern was that they are too small for anything to be able to develop in them, because they are tiny.

How small are wren or hummingbird eggs. They still hatch.

She started laying a few months ago.

If she has been laying a few months the odds of those eggs hatching healthy chicks are pretty good. Candle, fret, and worry all you want but if you want those eggs to hatch then I'd give them a chance.