First time broody hen question

[Shemira]

hey lovely chicken folk I have my first ever broody hen sitting on eggs (I'm pretty sure its her first time too).
I've just candled tonight - I have 6 in the incubator - 5/6 developing. Under the hen I'm pretty sure we have 1/6 developing (will double check tomorrow night, was a bit awkward out in the coop!). Several I'm pretty sure had the dark rings which I had never seen before (and early death right?).
She's been a brilliant mum so far, barely leaving the nest. I wondering tho should I take the 1 developing egg and put it in the incubator with the others (and leave her with fake eggs) or leave that one with her?
When I take the failed eggs away should I replace with fake eggs (wondering if she would break broody with just one egg there?)
With the other eggs in the incubator do I put them under her (if she is still sitting) at lockdown stage or wait until they have hatched?
Feeling so sad for her. I was hoping she would have had a few more developing.
sorry so many questions just flowing out right now...

 

[kattabelly]

How long have the eggs been in the incubator / under the broody?

 

[Ridgerunner]

If the eggs were started at the same time you have several options but if one set weas started before the others your options are limited. And, as Kattabelly asked, how long have they been incubating? The answers to these questions could save me a lot of typing.

I'll try to respond to your questions when you answer these. Never be afraid to ask questions on here, we can't guess what you want.

 

[Altairsky]

Let the hen do her job. Let her be a mom. Don't candle, and don't trash the eggs you think might be dead because they might be alive. Trashing good eggs is a mistake I made and it still hurts me to this day. Don't make the same mistake.

 

[Skyeknight]

Let the hen do her job. Let her be a mom. Don't candle, and don't trash the eggs you think might be dead because they might be alive. Trashing good eggs is a mistake I made and it still hurts me to this day. Don't make the same mistake.

I agree with this. I only candle eggs at 11 days of incubation and take away only the ones that have 0 development, all the others even if seemingly halted stay under the broody. Even if they don't seem to be moving or pip around the day they are supposed to hatch, still keep them under the broody.

The worst that might happen if they aren't fertilized or died is that your broody is sitting on an extra egg. The worst that could happen if you throw them is that they are still developing fetuses and you just killed them.

 

[Yardmom]

Do not take the good egg away from the hen. Are you hoping for the hen to raise all the chicks? I know it was asked already, but the date the hen started setting and the date the incubator was started are key to what your options are.