how many

[AceOfSpadesJJ]

how many eggs can 1 hen sit on to hatch

 

[sumi]

As many as she can cover comfortably. Mine usually goes for 12, but I've heard of hens sitting on up to 18.

 

[AceOfSpadesJJ]

does it matter what the age is of the hen, like if it is the first brood

 

[sumi]

If you leave her to pile up her eggs in the box she'll decide when she's ready to sit. I did this with 3 of my first timers, they sat on 12 eggs every time. I think that was the number they felt comfortable with.

 

[nurse_turtle]

I gave my broody 6 turkey eggs and by morning she had moved one of them about 2 feet away from her and was sitting on 5. I assumed the 6 eggs were too much and she was comfy with the 5. She's still on them now.