hatching eggs

[cutlerfarmer]

Hi there, this is my first post. I've been buying chicks for the last 6 months and my chickens are great at laying eggs. They're New Hampshire Reds and they're broody. I want to raise some baby chicks and let the hen do the work. So how can I do this? My dad who had chickens as a kid says to take about 10 eggs and put them in the box, when the hen sees the eggs she'll sit on them. So how do I store the eggs? Can I put them in the fridge for a few days, then take them out and hatch them? I have a rooster, so yes they're fertile. I'm just trying to figure out how to get 10 eggs under the hen at one time. thanks for any info.

 

[ninabl]

does she lay eggs in a nesting box? just leave them there for 10 days and u will have ten eggs under her

 

[CapricornFarm]

Do not refrigerate if you want them to hatch. You can either let her accumulate naturally as she lays, or collect them and store in a cool spot , 60 degrees or do until you have enough. Then put them in the nest.;-)

 

[cutlerfarmer]

she lays in a nesting box. I'll gather them and put them somewhere around 60. I'd like the chicks to all hatch as close as possible, rather than 10 days apart. Will she continue to lay eggs once she starts to sit on them? Thanks for the info.