Are Broody Hens Good at Math?

[macdoogle2]

I have eggs under two broody hens (as well as some in an incubator) due to hatch this weekend. I was wondering when should I pull the chicks to sell them? I know hatcheries ship chicks as day olds so, should I take the chicks from the hens as soon as they are dry?. Also, I want to let the hens keep some of the babies that they worked so hard for. What is a good number of chicks to keep the mamas happy? I was thinking 3 each.

As I write this I realize I should not count my chicks before they hatch! I may not get any. Just want to be prepared!

 

[duck&chickencrazy]

You can pull the chicks once they have dried off. And 2 or 3 would be a good number to let the mothers have, she will be happy as long as she has a few. And I love that saying you used lol

I use it all the time...people look at me like Im crazy

not sure why

 

[Jferlisi]

They cant. My silkie had two eggs under her last hatch and they hatched and i stuck two more under her, LOL. My lakenvelder hatched out 5 babies and i sold 4 and she was happy as could be with that one, who is now 3 months old and they are still inseparable.