OK, I have my first broody, a standard cochin. I put thwelve eggs under her, thinking that would be good. BUT the other hens kept laying in there, and at last count she had 17!! I penned her up after that, but I have still caught other hens in there, so I dont even know for sure how many she has. So, they are all developing nicely, even though they are at different stages. I took a few out that were clear, and she still had 17 at last count. BUT she keeps getting out, i dont know how, and she sits back down on the wrong nest! I have put her back in once a day at least 6 or 7 times! Most of the time I catch her before they get cold, but today they were cool, and one day they were COLD. Are they OK? She only has a few more days, they are due this next weekend, so I am thinking she should stop getting off them tomorrow or so. But will they live? And what do I do about the different ages? I am thinking I will bring them inside as they dry, and then when they are done hatching, I will give them back to her. Will this work? I think the youngest eggs are, at the most, a week behind the oldest ones. Sorry for the long rant!!
