Hello,I need help with a hen I'm trying to get to set

[ufo_chris]

Hello,I'm new here.
I bought some buff orp eggs ,they are resting right now. I have a hen I put with some dummy eggs to start her getting broody for my orp eggs. She sits on them at night and sometimes during the day. This was only her second day with them. Is it okay to switch the eggs now or should I wait.
I'm not sure how long she gets off the eggs when she does, I can't watch her constantly. When she settles on them she acts like she's broody ,puffs herself all up and wiggles down on them.
She did lay 2 of her own which I left.
I have 9 orp eggs that didn't break,she's a smaller hen,Leghorn like, how many can I give her? i'm thinking of leaving her some too.
Thanks,Chris

 

[Katy]

You really can't make a hen go broody.....it's a hormonal thing that has to kick in before she's broody. Some hens never go broody at all.

 

[ufo_chris]

but would she be sitting on the eggs at all if she's not going broody?
There is enough room to sit somewhere else.

 

[Katy]

If she's truely broody she won't get off the eggs at all except for a few minutes a day to eat a little and get a drink. Also if she's still laying eggs she's not broody. Once a hen is broody they don't lay anymore.

 

[ufo_chris]

ok,so I guess I'll wait a few days and see.
Should I set up my bator or just keep them a few more days? I believe they are probably 4 days old now.

 

[Katy]

I'd get your incubator going.

 

[ufo_chris]

K,Will do that in a sec.
It's ok to stick them under her once she's truly broody right. Think I can do 12?
I'll put her 2 eggs with the orps so they will hatch at the same time.
Thanks so much!