White Rock went broody, she has 8 eggs under her!

[petfood]

So I did not expect my white Rock chicken of all the different chickens, to go broody. So this is my first time having a chicken try to hatch her own eggs. A lot of the chickens laid eggs with her in that spot, so I moved her last night. I followed a suggestion of making two boxes and her with her eggs in one box, which I moved easily last night into a crate with food and water. I checked on her this morning and she is still laying on them with determination. So my question is , she has all different kind of eggs and I have no idea if the rooster fertilized all of them. Will this be a problem? Does the rooster keep on top of fertilizing all the hens under him? This is one rooster with 9 hens. Also is there anything I should do to help her. Its pretty warm outside in the upper 60's at least. Is 8 eggs too many for her and will she continue to lay more eggs with all those already in her nest? Will all the eggs be able to incubate ok with that many eggs? Anyways a lot of questions and just want o help hatch a couple out at least. Thanks for any suggestions
Diana

 

[FarmInProgress]

If she’s broody she shouldn’t lay any more eggs but I would mark the eggs so that if another hen lays an egg in there you can take it out. I think she’ll be fine with the eight as long as none are peeking out from underneath her.

 

[MGG]

So I did not expect my white Rock chicken of all the different chickens, to go broody. So this is my first time having a chicken try to hatch her own eggs. A lot of the chickens laid eggs with her in that spot, so I moved her last night. I followed a suggestion of making two boxes and her with her eggs in one box, which I moved easily last night into a crate with food and water. I checked on her this morning and she is still laying on them with determination. So my question is , she has all different kind of eggs and I have no idea if the rooster fertilized all of them. Will this be a problem? Does the rooster keep on top of fertilizing all the hens under him? This is one rooster with 9 hens. Also is there anything I should do to help her. Its pretty warm outside in the upper 60's at least. Is 8 eggs too many for her and will she continue to lay more eggs with all those already in her nest? Will all the eggs be able to incubate ok with that many eggs? Anyways a lot of questions and just want o help hatch a couple out at least. Thanks for any suggestions
Diana

Any infertile eggs can be removed at 14 days. Candle them, they will be clear. The other eggs should be about half full and have veins. The rooster probably is doing a good job. The temp won't bother her any. Just make sure she has food, water, and ventilation. Hens don't lay eggs when they're broody. They don't resume laying until at least a few weeks after hatch I think. If she only has 8 eggs she'll be perfectly fine. Just as long as no other hens can lay eggs in her nest.

 

[Ridgerunner]

So my question is , she has all different kind of eggs and I have no idea if the rooster fertilized all of them. Will this be a problem?

No problem. A broody hen will hatch pheasant, turkey, or other eggs, not just chicken eggs.

Does the rooster keep on top of fertilizing all the hens under him?

Most do. Breed, color, or size doesn't matter.

Its pretty warm outside in the upper 60's at least.

Broody hens can hatch eggs when it is below freezing.

Is 8 eggs too many for her and will she continue to lay more eggs with all those already in her nest? Will all the eggs be able to incubate ok with that many eggs?

She should not lay any more eggs if she is broody. Many different reasons.

I typically give a broody hen 12 eggs of the size she lays. Yours should do fine with 8.

 

[petfood]

Any infertile eggs can be removed at 14 days. Candle them, they will be clear. The other eggs should be about half full and have veins. The rooster probably is doing a good job. The temp won't bother her any. Just make sure she has food, water, and ventilation. Hens don't lay eggs when they're broody. They don't resume laying until at least a few weeks after hatch I think. If she only has 8 eggs she'll be perfectly fine. Just as long as no other hens can lay eggs in her nest.

Here she is on her nest, haven't seen her move, I didnt realize this breed was the broody type. I hope she eating and drinking. The eggs are not all hers, I think all the hens pitched in. So hopefully they are fertile.