Hatching eggs

[lulubell15]

Hi everyone,
Last year around this time, one of my white leghorns went broody. I put 5 fertile eggs under her & 2 hatched. ( Both turned into really fine cockerels, which went off to new homes).
She has gone broody again & I have acquired 10 fertile eggs. My question is, how many is too many for her to care for? (They are all under her at the moment)
Also last year I kept her & the 2 chicks in a smaller box & run inside the large run. This time I thought I'd try leaving her in with the other 8 hens & see what happens.
Do you think this is wise ?
Any advice would be very welcome.

 

[mymilliefleur]

10 eggs should not be too much for her to cover. I have set duel purpose birds on as many as 15 eggs no problem. Of course leghorns are a bit smaller, so 10 eggs is probably a good number. Check around her and make sure there are no eggs sticking out, if you don't see any, than you are good to go.
This is really up to you. You can try letting her out with the flock (under close super vision!) and see how it goes. If the other hens show aggression toward her and the chicks, or if she starts fighting with the other hens, than you probably want to keep her separate.
Hope this helps!

 

[lulubell15]

I just checked, she seems to have them all covered. As for leaving her in with the others I'll keep a close watch ( that's if any hatch at all) & see how it goes.
Thanks for the fast reply.

 

[lulubell15]

Any advice gratefully received... After putting the fertilised eggs under my little white leghorn I ended up taking away 4 & leaving 6, as she couldn't manage to keep all warm. That was 13 days ago, & she has been doing really well up till today. Twice a day I would gently lift her out so she could eat & drink, then after a few minutes she would return to the eggs. This morning I when I took her out she looked terrible, her comb & face are really yellow & she was a bit unsteady on her legs. I had to be away for most of the day & when I got home she hadn't returned to the eggs (stone cold) & doesn't look any better. I have force a little water into her but apart from that I'm at a loss as what's wrong.