Mystery chick

[Tarahaire]

We have somehow ended up with 6 chicks hatching from 5 fertilized eggs. We have 17 hens, and have never had a rooster with them. When one of the girls went broody, I bought fertilized eggs and put 5 of them under her in the night. The next day I noticed that there were 6 eggs under her, I assume that another hen had gotten into her nest box and had laid it. At that point I didn't know which eggs were which, so I let her sit on all six. All six eggs hatched! Crazy! Is this possible? Am I going crazy?

 

[rIrs roost]

We have somehow ended up with 6 chicks hatching from 5 fertilized eggs. We have 17 hens, and have never had a rooster with them. When one of the girls went broody, I bought fertilized eggs and put 5 of them under her in the night. The next day I noticed that there were 6 eggs under her, I assume that another hen had gotten into her nest box and had laid it. At that point I didn't know which eggs were which, so I let her sit on all six. All six eggs hatched! Crazy! Is this possible? Am I going crazy?

It would have to be fertilized. Any chance you miscounted? Do they free range? maybe a roo is near by?