How many eggs is too many?

[shishimarie]

Hi Chicken friends
I’m about to place eggs under my broody hen. So hear is my math problem...I have 15 fertilized eggs and 1 broody Orpington. How many eggs can I place under her.
Thanks for any input

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can try all 15. Remove any she can't cover. If she can't cover all, it will ruin the entire hatch.
The way the nest is configured makes a bit of a difference. Nice soft bedding material they can create a basin in works better than a flat surface like plastic nest pads.

 

[Luke Phillips]

I agree with ChickenCanoe.

 

[shishimarie]

She is in a nesting box that had wood on the bottom but I place a lot of nesting material. I could place them all and see if she kicks any out. Also will candle them at 7-10days and see what is going on

 

[HuskerHens18]

My bantam hatched 12 eggs, so I'm sure an Orphington could handle 15 if the nest is like how ChickenCanoe described