can eggs about to hatch be put under broody hen?

[Sue in NH]

I have a VERY broody hen. She has been setting for a few weeks. I put 22 eggs in the incubator 12 days ago, thinking that only a few would be fertile. Turns out 16 are growing!

My plan was to put the good eggs under the hen and let her finish incubating and hatching them. But 16 seems like too many for her to cover!

So my question is, can I put them under her just as they start to hatch, just that day as they start to pip? Will she think they are hers? This is a slightly different approach than the people who talk about putting day old chicks with a broody hen.

This hen has hatched eggs for me before, eggs not hers, and been a good momma, very fiercly protective of her youngsters, not letting any other hens near. She has to have her own pen for about 4 weeks until she calms down. She's an Americauna, about 8 years old.

 

[ThePamperedPullet]

If she is of good size I would put all 16 eggs under her. You could even do it now if she is willing to take them. We just did that with 3 of our hens. The first one had 18, second one hatched 5 and we gave her another 10 incubator day olds and the third on we gave 10 and she hatched them and then we gave her 12 more incubator day olds.
If she is willing then let her.

 

[lovemychix]

I have broodys and I just let them do it all.

 

[Sue in NH]

Well, that is exciting advice! She's a normal sized Americauna, except for the weight she's lost while sitting.

How can I tell if she can handle all 16? Is it just a matter of not being able to see any eggs poking out?