***How will new eggs affect existing 7 day clutch?***

[La_TomboyGirl]

I have a broody on 4 eggs, which I candled yesterday. only 1 looks like it might be good, hence the reason I bought the hatchers! So they just arrived & I'm wondering how this new addition will affect the hatch. Will she continue to set if the 1 hatches? Any tips on how to sneak them in on her? Any extra info provided very welcome & appreciated!

 

[CorralitosSunflower]

My feeling is that 7 days is way to large of a time difference. If she hatches the one you run the risk of her abandoning the nest and thus killing the developing eggs or staying on to hatch them out and risking the baby who will need to be eating and drinking regularly by then. I would say 2 days difference for eggs, tops. The lone chick should be just fine with mama if you are worried about it being lonely and mama will be delighted, even with one chick. You could always try to get some day olds to slip under her soon after the first egg hatches if you were hoping for more than one.

 

[La_TomboyGirl]

Thanks. I've already got the hatching eggs though. Ordered them from a lady on here a soon as I saw she was truly broody (until Sunday she would sit on the wooden egg for a while till warm, but continue to keep getting up, slept away from it, etc. then on Sunday she was nonstop sitting on the wooden & 4 real eggs) & the order just came today..... What if I put the peep (if it does end up hatching- I'm a 1st time candler & this was day 6) in the brooder...perhaps she will continue to sit for the rest, since some do hatch a few days later than others I've read? I was thinking they'd be here Friday, & she just started sitting nonstop on Sunday 5/2, but like I said, there were only 4 there. She has laid another earlier in the week, like tuesday, & gets up & lets the other 3 hens lay in there & then sits back down. I did mark the 4 Sunday, & have continued to remove the extras since then. Is it true that they will continue to lat until there is a "good number" (which varies by each hen's preference) & then @ that time of reaching the "magic #" their temp goes up to start the chick development? Someone on here had said that, so I was wondering if that is true & may help the sitch. Thabnk you for your reply!!!

Here's a link to my first time candling efforts, if that would help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=339888