why will my broody hen only hatch 2 eggs?

[dusty910]

I let my broody hen sit on 7 eggs (don't have room for more chix than that), dated them & kept removing all the ones she stole from others. I moved her & her eggs prior to hatch but its been 3 days now & she refuses to hatch more than 2 chicks. The first one died after 2 days so she hatched another. Again, no more interest in the eggs left behind. She has great digs, quiet & warm with plenty of room so don't see any problem there. Is 2 all she thinks she can handle? Has anyone else seen this behavior?

 

[silkiechicken]

Ideally, all the eggs should have been "set" on the same day so they would hatch on the same day. She will leave the nest 2-3 days after the first chick hatches, without regard to the stage the other eggs are in. Normally, they will wait to have a full nest , sit, and give everyone about 48 hours to hatch and leave.

 

[dusty910]

thanks for the response, I guess it's my fault. Should have left the other hen's eggs instead of just her own. Will know that for next time, this was my first hatch. Funny tho, how she went back & hatched another when she lost one. I guess she really wanted a pair.