How many eggs should I set? (once I get a broody) ;]

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I currently have 20 chickens. Four of which are about to be butchered (old age). One is a rooster. That gives me 15 good layers. I own 2 buff orpingtons in that mix. So I am waiting till one of them goes broody. I am looking to end up with 20-25 birds. How many should I set. My ratio is 1 rooster to 15 ladies. The rooster is three, though.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Whatever amount she’s able to comfortably sit on.
Just make sure she’s able to cover them all.

Good luck with your hatch!

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Is it too cold here to start encouraging broodiness? It has been 20s-50s, so ya.

 

[AltonaAcres]

If you want a good hatch rate, set more eggs than you want chicks. For example, if I wanted 10 new chicks, I'd set 15 eggs. If you order your eggs, I'd set even more. I set 7 ordered eggs and only got 3 to hatch, but that's lucky for ordering. Getting fertile eggs from a local farmer, friend, or your own flock is a much better idea, unless you're looking for a rare breed. Incubators are more safe, but a broody is much cooler to watch, and the chicks are healthier/happier. Eggs/chicks can die from MANY things. plan for the worst, and have an incubator running while your hen is sitting on her eggs if you are really wanting a good hatch. I had a chicken sit for a week, then quit the job. . Hope this helps! It would be so fun.

 

[123RedBeard]

Not too cold.

Depends on how big your Orpington's are ... most "Heritage Show Style" are twice as big as most hatchery Orpington's ... but, as many as she can cover and keep warm ... she may kick out a few that are duds ... she just knows.

And the second one may decide to become broody too within a few days ...

Are you looking at the current laid eggs to see if there is a "bullseye"? ... which means your cock is doing his part of the deal ...

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I haven't checked for bullseyes for a while. Ill do that with tomorrows breakfast.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I got some bullseyes! Now, bring on the broody!