Questions about broody hen and eggs

[emmalemons]

Quick question. I don’t remember how long does it usually take for a broody hen to sit and hatch eggs. Also last time I did this with Gertude, she sat on about 12 eggs and only 4 made it. How many do you guys suggest I let May sit on. Right now she has 5 but I didn’t know if I should let her have any more.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

What breed is the hen? If she is a bantam, five should be a good number. If she is a standard, she can hold up to twelve. It takes 21 days for a chicken egg to incubate.

 

[emmalemons]

What breed is the hen? If she is a bantam, five should be a good number. If she is a standard, she can hold up to twelve. It takes 21 days for a chicken egg to incubate.

She is a mix between a chicken I’m not sure of the breed. Thank you for the days though I’ll put a pick of the broodychickens mother:

 

[A.M. Eggs]

The mother is an Easter Egger. Do you know the father?

She is a mix between a chicken I’m not sure of the breed. Thank you for the days though I’ll put a pick of the broodychickens mother: View attachment 1816284

 

[emmalemons]

The mother is an Easter Egger. Do you know the father?

Yes her father is a barred rock and actually my profile pic if I have time I’ll get a picture of her today

 

[sourland]

Given a well formed bowl shaped nest with good bedding she should be able to adequately brood a dozen eggs. Start all eggs at the same time as staggered hatches under a broody hen can be disastrous.

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

Right now I have a bantam Cochin broody with 6 normal sized eggs under her. Any more than that, full sized, and they start poking out. My best broody was also a bantam, unknown breed, hatched 14 bantam sized eggs.

I'd offer as many eggs as she can sit on comfortably. If it's a deeper nest, straw or grass can do more. If it's flat less. I'd guess 6-10 for sure.

 

[Redhead Rae]

I find hay makes the best nesting material because it mats in to a nest shape very nicely and holds it. Straw and wood chips don't tend to hold the nest shape well at all and some of the eggs tend to get buried

 

[50-45-1]

How long has she been sitting steady on the five she has now?
If more than 3 days, do not give her more. The hatching date will be to far apart.