collecting eggs for a broody hen

[gabreal16]

when I went to gather the eggs a few minutes ago I noticed a hen with her body flattened a wings spread out and underneath her was a wooden egg. I don't know if she is committed yet so I am going to wait three days to be sure. During that time how am I suppose to collect and store eggs I get from the rest of my hens for her to hatch. the hen is either a barred rock or a Dominique, sorry cant tell the difference, so how many eggs should I put under her to hatch.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Store your hatching eggs in a cool, humid place in an egg carton with the pointy end down. Turn them at least 3 times each day.

You can probably fit somewhere between 8-10 eggs under her, maybe a few more if she's a hefty lady. As long as she can completely cover however many you give her she's good to go. Good luck!

 

[JanO]

When you collect them just put them in a carton, fat end up, and leave them on the counter. You don't want to wash or refrigerate them. I would put about 9 or 10 under her. She may be able to cover more, but I think that's a safe number. Some people will mark them also, just to keep track of the ones you place under her, however I've never done that.

Good luck, I hope it works out well for you, and her.

 

[gabreal16]

so will room temp be too hot or what , also how do I know when to turn the eggs every 3 hours or what. Are you talking about turning between pointy end down and fat side down if not how do I turn them.

 

[JanO]

I keep mine at room temp and never had a problem but if you have a room such as a cellar that is typically cooler that would be the most ideal place to store them. A lot of people will put a book or something under one end, or one side, of the carton, than switch it to the other end 3 times a day while they are collecting them. However I've never done that if I'm going to set them within 2 or 3 days. I've even stored them in baskets, or bowls and have had good results. Just make sure that however you store them that the fat end is up, and stays up. That's where the air pocket is needed so the chick can hatch easily.