Hens layed in the broody's nest

[cestial225]

I have a Silky pullet sittin on eggs right now. they are around day 15-16. Well the last two or three days my other girls have not been laying as many. I thought maybe it was cause of the weather and short days and I have not been home to turn on the light in the coop. Well today I saw where they have been laying. In my broody's nest! So instead of 6 eggs, she was sitting on 14 today! It is probably only 2 days of extra eggs in there maybe more if some hens have been skipping days. But no more than 5 days cause I know I checked last week and only saw the six that I set in there. So I took out all the new eggs, marked them and set them under another Silky pullet that just decided to go broody a few days ago.

So now I am worried that sitting on so many may have messed with the original six. But she covered them pretty well surprisingly. I mean I look in there every day and I never would have guess that she was sitting on so many eggs.

I was not planning on hatching out 8 more chicks either but since they have already been sat on for 2-3 days I dont want to eat them. I dont want to crack open an egg and see anything remotely resembling a baby chick, or a heart or blood or anything. So it is totally not my fault that chicken math has struck again right

 

[sourland]

I'm not sure if this chicken 'math' or chicken 'rationalization'.

Perhaps a combination of both?

 

[gimmie birdies]

it is best to mark the eggs you want sat on and remove the rest- at this point candle, then remove the others. you can still give'm to your dog.

 

[sourland]

it is best to mark the eggs you want sat on and remove the rest- at this point candle, then remove the others. you can still give'm to your dog.

She has placed the 'added' eggs under another hen that has just started to set.

 

[cestial225]

I dont think my little silky can cover the 8 eggs that I placed under her. I can see them sticking out. So I am considering taking out 2 or 3 of them. I might put them in the incubator and hatch them out myself. Do you all think I would be able to slip the chicks back under her if they hatch? I really dont want to be caring for chicks right now. I really dont want chicks in the house right now. I really dont want to crack open the eggs I take away either though. I guess I could toss them in the woods or something.