How many chicks?

[happyhens1972]

Triggered by another post, where I spoke of a hen I had who covered 18 eggs and brought them all to term, with 16 hatching and two pipping but dying in shell, I wondered.....

what is the largest number of chicks anyone has had hatched by a single hen?

 

[sylviethecochin]

The record for us was 15 bantams under an OEGB. She had a 100% hatch. (She was a terrible mother, though--luckily, we knew from her last hatch and took the chicks. Fourteen survived.)

 

[happyhens1972]

The record for us was 15 bantams under an OEGB. She had a 100% hatch. (She was a terrible mother, though--luckily, we knew from her last hatch and took the chicks. Fourteen survived.)

Wow! 15 is good. Did you give her the eggs or did she 'steal' them?

 

[Libby Shaver]

The most we've ever had is 21. Most if them lived I don't remember exactly how many. It was also on a bantam and she was a great mother.

 

[red horse ranch]

A few years ago one of my Australorp hens hatched 20 out 0f 22 guinea eggs. I let her keep a few of them to raise and I sold the rest. I also had a guinea hen hatch 18 keets.