How many eggs under a Broody

[bragabit]

I have 36 eggs coming in the mail. I have two broody hens in the coop. A small black bantam and a Buff Orp. I have an incubator too. So how many eggs could i safely put under each hen? I am going to put the remainder in the incubator and if any hatch sneak them under the mommy hens.

 

[BeccaB00]

I would say about 7-10 each. my hen was setting on about 17 eggs one time and none hatched because there were to many .

Goood luck!!!

 

[SAORSA]

I have a friend who put 15 eggs under her Orp. As of last night eight have hatched.
Today is the actual due date.

I believe you can put as many under a hen as she can cover.
It depends on the size of the hen, my friends Orp could cover 15.
Of course the Bantum can not cover as many as the Orp.

I think the hen will do a better job that the incubator.

Good luck !

 

[pgpoultry]

I'd give 12 to the Orp and 6 to the bantam,

Sandie

 

[bragabit]

I am excited to get the eggs. Some are from members on here and others from Ebay. It will be interesting to compare the hatch rates of the Broody hens and the incubator. I can't wait!!!!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Different hens are different sizes and different eggs are different sizes so there is no one right answer. If you put as many as the hen can comfortably cover you will be OK. If you have an incubator to put the excess in, there is no need to really crowd the nest under the hen. I'd try to leave room for at least two more for the Orp and at least room for one more under the bantam. Leaving even a bit more room won't hurt.

Good luck! Get ready for some real excitement.

 

[bragabit]

Thanks for advice. I just can't tell you how much joy I get from having my chickens. I am getting 12 white Orp, 12 buff orp, and 12 welsummers. Has anyone put eggs under a broody and in an incubator at the same time? Did you add to the chick pile under the hen with success?