Haha great minds think alike. That's exactly the conclusion I came too and just finished doing. The third hen had 9 eggs so I put three in each nest and put hen one and twos in the bator. Most of them are shadowing so perhaps a few days off pipping?
Hen threes eggs are still moving around etc so they should continue developing at the same rate. One does have a detached air sac though. I've never had that before and don't know if it will be able to hatch?
My hens are one year old next month and all sisters. One has previously hatched a batch of 5 and was a brilliant mum. I'm not at all worried about her. Hen two hatched three a little while ago and pecked at them then ran away when they tried following her around the yard. I ended up having to raise them in the brooder. It was like she was afraid of them. I'm hoping she'll be more comfortable second time around.
And hen three, well she is just a mean girl. She's constantly stirring up her sisters and often attacks the drake, my shoes etc. So I'm not confident she'll be a great mum. But I guess I can only wait and see, keeping a close eye on her with them once they hatch.
