Surrendering to my broody Australorp!

[Broody_Mama]

One of my Australorps has been broody for about a month now and nothing I've tried has worked. So I'm giving in and getting 9 fertilized eggs from a local farmer. My worry is that she will break being broody shortly after I put the eggs under her, since she's already been like this for more than 21 days. Does that happen much, or will the hen realize she is finally sitting on fertilized eggs and stay put until they hatch?

Also, how long should i keep the chicks before giving them away? Will likely keep one or two, but don't want more than that.

 

[Northwest_Wannabe]

I've never had a broody stop when theres eggs under her, but I could just be lucky lol! I would personally wait until the chicks have been "weaned" by her, when she stops being their momma basically. We've sold chicks early while she still is taking care of the 24/7 and I may just be a sensitive person but she seemed sad and like she missed them :'(