Much experience doing just this. First ya gotta have a hen that is inclined to get broody often. I leave 3-4 eggs in a nest that have been marked with a felt pen. Fresh eggs I mark with a pencil as to date layed and store in a cool place in the house(not the fridge). No need to turn the stored eggs. When the hen takes the nest and stays for at least 2 NIGHTS, I go to her on the 3rd night, in the dark, and move her to a seperate pen. This prevents other hens from adding eggs, or the rooster from messing with her. If she settles in that nest with her original 4 eggs for another night, I`ll swap out those eggs for the freshest ones I have stored and mark my calendar. Been working for me for years. Remember, the eggs left in the nest are to encourage her to set. They are not the clutch she will end up hatching.........Pop
