How many eggs for a first time mother?

[Azhtann]

One of my phoenix hens has gone broody. This is her first time hatching eggs, and I was wondering how many it would be suggested that I leave with her? She has also claimed one of the larger chicken's eggs as one of her own. Should I remove the bigger egg and just let her hatch her own?

 

[GlicksChicks]

I let my hen incubate 4 for her first time. I let her incubate whatever 4 eggs that end up being under her at a time.

4 eggs is not too many that she has to fight to keep them all covered, but it is not so little that you chance only having 1 hatch.

She can incubate the larger chicken's egg. No matter the size or breed of chicken, incubation time/heat is the same.

 

[Azhtann]

I let my hen incubate 4 for her first time. I let her incubate whatever 4 eggs that end up being under her at a time.

4 eggs is not too many that she has to fight to keep them all covered, but it is not so little that you chance only having 1 hatch.

She can incubate the larger chicken's egg. No matter the size or breed of chicken, incubation time/heat is the same.

I was concerned that as she is smaller, and her eggs are smaller, having a larger egg under her would create an imbalance of heat, as the eggs would not all be covered the same? Or am I just overthinking?

 

[SilverBirds]

How many eggs is she sitting on now? As long as she can comfortably cover all the eggs the size of the egg doesn't matter much.

If she is brooding in a communal nesting area, I would mark all of her eggs with a pencil or sharpie so if she steals more eggs or if other hens lay in her nest you won't end up with a staggered hatch.

 

[klb25]

One of my phoenix hens has gone broody. This is her first time hatching eggs, and I was wondering how many it would be suggested that I leave with her? She has also claimed one of the larger chicken's eggs as one of her own. Should I remove the bigger egg and just let her hatch her own?

My Phoenix hens usually start with 6. They hatch 3 though, every single time.

 

[GlicksChicks]

I was concerned that as she is smaller, and her eggs are smaller, having a larger egg under her would create an imbalance of heat, as the eggs would not all be covered the same? Or am I just overthinking?

If she we trying to incubate a goose egg while incubating chicken eggs, you should be worried. But a larger chicken's eggs should not cause problems as long as she can fit the eggs under her all at once.

 

[Azhtann]

How many eggs is she sitting on now? As long as she can comfortably cover all the eggs the size of the egg doesn't matter much.

If she is brooding in a communal nesting area, I would mark all of her eggs with a pencil or sharpie so if she steals more eggs or if other hens lay in her nest you won't end up with a staggered hatch.

That is an awesome idea, thank you. She currently has five eggs. I'll mark them today.

 

[Azhtann]

My Phoenix hens usually start with 6. They hatch 3 though, every single time.

Good information to know! Thank you.

 

[Azhtann]

If she we trying to incubate a goose egg while incubating chicken eggs, you should be worried. But a larger chicken's eggs should not cause problems as long as she can fit the eggs under her all at once.

Thank you. That sets my mind at ease.

 

[SilverBirds]

That is an awesome idea, thank you. She currently has five eggs. I'll mark them today.

If she can cover all 5 I would let her keep them all.