How many chicks can a hen raise?

[tschultz]

I know this is an old post but I have about 30 eggs in an incubator (day 3) and a hen that just went broody. I doubt all the eggs will be winners but still a big number if all goes well. I figured if she can handle them with a little help ie. a heat lamp or even an Ohio brooder in the pen with them (only her and the chicks) then why not? I just much rather have a hen in charge of them than me if I can help it. I was just going to wait until the chicks hatch and sneak them under her at night. For now I may put a batch of eggs from the grocery store under her to keep her focused. Your thoughts?

What did you end up doing? I have the same thing going on, I have 35 in the incubator on day 18, and a broody been with 9, but she is 5 days behind. Can I have her raise them all? If she goes to bed one night with 9 and wakes up with 30 more week olds? I plan on adding a heat lamp.