I have a Black Copper Marans hen who has been stubbornly refusing to break her broody mood for weeks and weeks. Normally I incubate, hatch and brood chicks artificially but this hen is really starting to lose weight, so I decided to appease her and give her chicks from my current hatch. Last night after dark I stuffed 6 newly hatched babies under her and this morning the chicks were fine and she was just as pleased as punch, so I grabbed the rest out of the hatcher and gave her those too. She currently has 17 and seems to be able to cover them just fine. There are still 3 or 4 yet to hatch in this batch and I'm wondering what may be her limit. (Don't worry, I've added a heat lamp over one side of her brooder box just in case she can't handle them all)
So, just out of curiosity, here's my question:
What's the highest number of chicks you've successfully been able to fit under a standard-sized chicken hen?
So, just out of curiosity, here's my question:
What's the highest number of chicks you've successfully been able to fit under a standard-sized chicken hen?