Broody Bantam Sitting on 3 eggs

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I got some eggs I was waiting for 7 months to get. I wanted the weather to be better. So I got the eggs the same time one of my Silkie/D'uccle crosses (Salt) went broody. I made a broody pen (had experience from this last time she and her sister went broody and would nest hop) and put three of my incubator eggs in there. I was going to move her and see if she would accept the new nest, she did I was surprised how easy it was. So I have left here there and now we're on day 18 (lockdown). She could have easily covered 2 more for a total of 5. So my question is this, how many chicks could she handle if I can get her to adopt the incubator chicks? It would be nice to only house raise a few, I was hoping her sister would go broody again too and give her some too, but no go. Any advice accepted. TIA Melissa

 

[CoopCrazy]

I have seen bantams with up to ten.. How cold is your area??I would make sure that she can cover how ever mny you put in there...

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

It's about 40 at night and 50 to 60 during the day. I put one more under her last night, I believe she could do two more, but I just don't want to push it. I will wait and see when they are born and put two more out there.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I would match the number of chicks with the number of eggs she can comfortably cover. Don't push it too much. Those chicks will soon grow a lot bigger than the eggs and she has to keep them warm at night until they feather out. I don't see a good reason to make it any harder on mama than you have to.

Good luck with your hatch.