Broody hen raising chicks?

[Micmac1234]

Get some from a neighbor or friend that has a nice rooster. Depending on the rooster and the size of his flock, you may get lower or higher rates of fertility. You can ask the owner if they've ever tried to hatch their eggs before and that might give you some idea of how many to set.

How many eggs can one hen handle…?

 

[Sussex19]

How many eggs can one hen handle…?

I find 10 to be a good number, but you could go up to 12 if she is a reasonable size.
Some hens can hatch more, but it is going to a get a lot more risky.

 

[fluffycrow]

How many eggs can one hen handle…?

It depends on the hen, is she LF?

 

[Micmac1234]

I find 10 to be a good number, but you could go up to 12 if she is a reasonable size.
Some hens can hatch more, but it is going to a get a lot more risky.

I ordered 12. I’m assuming that not all will make it. She is pretty big, the biggest of my flock and she’s a buff rock

 

[Micmac1234]

It depends on the hen, is she LF?

I’m only two years into all this so not sure what LF is but she’s my largest bird, also queen of the pack, and she’s a Buff Rock