3 hens on eggs & ?????

[Davlyn]

This is my very 1st full yr with chicken & on April 11 my 1st egg hatched. and 1 a day after that, I have 4 & 3 eggs still not hatched. How long should I wait. I am trying 2 candle. 1 egg was not fertile. haven't looked at the last 3 yet.I have 3 hen sitting on eggs or the same eggs. my Cochan hen is being nasty to my easter egger. will she hurt the hen ? I have set up a divider because a couple of other hens were trying to peck the babies. should I keep them apart or is it safe to let them all B together again ?? also, I am only gettn 2 eggs out of 5 other hens. why would those hens not B laying if they R not broody , sitt'n on eggs or chicks ???? Thank you

 

[HEChicken]

Quote:
It is best to keep them separate while they are brooding.

also, I am only gettn 2 eggs out of 5 other hens. why would those hens not B laying if they R not broody , sitt'n on eggs or chicks ???? Thank you

There are a number of reasons. They could be molting, getting older (and therefore laying slowing down), or have some kind of illness. Hens don't always lay EVERY day even when they are young. I have one who has never laid more than every other day.​