first time broody hatch question

[Noelg]

Ok so i decided to let my broody silkie sit on some eggs, i didnt take the time to consider the problems that might come up and now im stuck. i started with 3 when i decided to let her sit.

what i have ended up with is a staggered hatch date on 6-10 eggs, I believe by candleing that 3 of those are now due to hatch within a day or so, they looked about 15-16 days on thrusday. Now also on thrusday i had 4 or so that looked to be at about 10 days. 3 or so looked even younger then the 10 days but i wont know for sure till later on tonight or tomorrow when i candle again.

I guess the plan is to let her hatch the first batch, then take the others due about 9 or so days from now and put them in the incubator. or should i let her have them all?

I didnt expect the other girls to add to her batch, or i would have paid closer attention, How the heck did they do that?

The weather broke again so we are back in the mid 20's to 30's. i have brought her to my garage so she is by herself. i didnt know if the roos or other hens whould kill the chicks,
but i know they could manage to get into the big girls pen and im sure they would kill them. This is my 3rd hatch but the first 2 where with my incubator, both very successfull.

ok so any other ideas or tips? have i developed a decent plan? DOH! i should have thought this out better!

TIA
noelg5

 

[pheonixstar15a]

Did you mark her eggs, either with a pencil or magic marker just put a little dot or other small marking on the egg so you will know which ones are hers and hopefully you wont have the staggering egg hatching problem next time.