How many is too many?

[fatbassetvineyards]

I thought I lost my blue orpington, but I found her with 18 eggs under the travel trailer! I have always used my incubator so the broody hen is new to me. I just candled two to see how far along and it looks about 8-9 days. Anything I should be doing for her, eggs, ect? 18 seems like so many but should I candle them all and get rid of the bad ones? She was not happy with me looking, please let me know.
Thank you!

 

[fatsu]

She'll be fine just make sure her nest is well protected from predators. You could candle them at the risk of a few pecks. They've been doing it a lot longer than we have though so I'd just let her set it out.

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Congrats to the expected mama hen. I'd make sure it's predator proof and give her her own water and food. Since she's under the travel trailer maybe you could wrap the bottom in wire. Also that way when she's done raising her brood you can use the fence to keep them from making a nest under there again.

 

[fatsu]

Its been 3 weeks how did things turn out?

 

[fatbassetvineyards]

Henrietta hatched 13 very cute chicks. All are doing well. She is an excellent mom. This is the first time I have had a hen raise chicks. I think I am more nervous than her. They are in a chicken tractor. Thank you for asking. I am trying to picture I took on my iPad.

 

[fatbassetvineyards]

 

[kathyinmo]

Congratulations ! ! So sweet !

 

[RollinWithTheStones]

Awesome!!!!

 

[TMG s]

ooh lully, you have a proper mixture there, looks like she wasn't the only one laying under the trailer lol

 

[fatsu]

Awesome conrgrats to you and the new momma.