Hen sitting on hatching eggs with many other eggs (not hers) under her

[Juniperberry]

I am looking after many hens (and other birds and animals). They are all completely free range.
One of the hens has been sitting on (initially about 8 eggs) and I can hear at least one has hatched, under her. They are due to hatch now.
But she went off for a bite to eat the other day and I counted 20 eggs! I am worried she will stay on the eggs until they all hatch, which I assume will mean the first hatched will die.
Can you please suggest how I can handle this.
I have a separate large cage which I have set up for the new chicks and hen to move to.

 

[Laodicia]

I am looking after many hens (and other birds and animals). They are all completely free range.
One of the hens has been sitting on (initially about 8 eggs) and I can hear at least one has hatched, under her. They are due to hatch now.
But she went off for a bite to eat the other day and I counted 20 eggs! I am worried she will stay on the eggs until they all hatch, which I assume will mean the first hatched will die.
Can you please suggest how I can handle this.
I have a separate large cage which I have set up for the new chicks and hen to move to.

It's more likely she will leave after a few days, unhatched eggs are not guaranteed to hatch and she will be looking to care for the babies she does have.

 

[Juniperberry]

Thank you Laodicia! I am feeling quite out of depth . I guess my main concern is keeping the new chicks alive and safe. I really don’t know if the dogs and cats are interested in a quick feed , and how long they are safe in the current nesting spot.

 

[Laodicia]

Thank you Laodicia! I am feeling quite out of depth . I guess my main concern is keeping the new chicks alive and safe. I really don’t know if the dogs and cats are interested in a quick feed , and how long they are safe in the current nesting spot.

It would depend on where they are, and probably how good of a mom your broody is. I havent hatched with a broody before, but i have 2 cats that are super interested in the chicks when i have them in the brooder in the house. I would be careful of cats and dogs around them.

If youre worried about her staying on the nest too long for already hatched chicks you can take away the remaining ones after 2 or 3 days if she hasnt gotten up yet.

 

[WthrLady]

Next time mark the broody eggs from the start. Then if others lay in her box, which happens all the time, you can remove fresh eggs daily.

 

[Percheron chick]

You can candle the eggs once she quits (usually by day 3). If you they are developing, you can finish then in an incubator.

 

[Juniperberry]

Thank you all for your advice, it was helpful.
Betty and five chicks are safely in their new home. It is at least day three and the chicks were becoming quite active, the nest was not safe from cats/dogs so I moved them. I don’t have an incubator, so I am keeping the remaining eggs warm with a little humidity. Unlikely any will hatch, but I feel better than just discarding them. I tried candling them, but quite honestly had no idea what I was seeing. Great experience!

 

[coloradowildflower]

Hooray for Betty! If you're interested, here's a great resource on candling eggs:

It really helped me know what I was seeing and what I wanted to look for!

 

[Juniperberry]

Wow, thank you ColoradoWildflower! That video is excellent. Next time I’ll be an eggspert (;-)) chicken hatching assistant.