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How many eggs can I put under a broody hen, think I heard that 13 eggs make a clutch oris this too many she is a medium hen (hybrid) about warren size.  

I am excited as I want to get some Buff Orpington eggs to hatch and I know she is a good mum as I got her with 2 chicks in tow and she did a fab job ( one died but not any fault of hers it had a breathing problem)
thanks
Sandra
xx

[02rlgudgin]

dont know about how many eggs, but u must be buildin up quite a chick collection how many hav u got now

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Only got 6, the mum and baby that survived, 3 light sussex and my Buff Orp, thats all.

I did get 6 ducklings now huge, and 2 goslings but thats the total family
Sandra
xx

[xx bluey xx]

hi,
funny that u mention the size of a clutch, i have had so many problems.
I have had an overly confident hen who thought she would try 22. maybe not a good idea as they wernt all her eggs and other chooks layed more with her clutch while she ate when being broody, not to good.
But she has 12 under her at the mo and they seem to have plenty of space, she is a partridge cochin though, but i think as long as all the eggs arent visible while she is sitting why not give it a go.
Laura ...

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Yes I thought I would go with a dozen as she is quite a decent size, its a bit exciting isn't it, but no counting till they hatch :-)

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what have you got your in, I have a small hutch (ex guinea pig) and its got a nice door to keep her enclosed and private would that be ok do you think?

Oh I have taken the egg she laid today as its infertile, will I be able to just put them under her or do I have to do it gradually, not sure how it works.

[babe]

hi, when my banty went broody  on 3 fake eggs id placed in one of the nesting boxes, she laid one of her own then sat tight.  i bought 6 frizzle eggs and simply swapped them over one at a time over about a ten minute period then left her a couple of days before moving her into the maternity block.

she hasnt battered an eyelid. i even hoof her ot at the same time each day into her own little run to make sure she poops eats and drinks and she wanders back into her nest. nothing seems to bother her.

she now has 9 days left and counting. not sure if they are fertile, i have had a look with a torch and all i can see is a dark splodge at the top of each egg, not sure if this is good or bad but fingers crossed

[slowef]

Yumm is showing signs of aggression ,when I took her egg today she nearly had my hand off.  She was very possesive of her last chick as well and I had to wear gloves to move her but it still hurt.  Should I leave her with whatever she lays for a couple of days before putting the fertile ones under then just to make sure.

If I can get some eggs at the livestock market tomorrow where do I keep them till she is ready and how long is it ok to have them waiting.  Do they need to be at a specific temperture or in the fridge ?? I read about letting them settle before setting them under her as well??  I don't know sorry to be so dense  :oops:

[babe]

hi, me again. you said she came with babies. if she is only now laying again i read somewhere that these may still be fertile from last time. not sure if thats true, someone else may know.

you can keep fertile eggs for about a week to ten days and leave them to settle 24 hours before putting under the broody. but not in the fridge, just on the side in the kitchen will do.

have you thought of thick gardening gloves? worth a thought ha ha

[slowef]

Oh yes I have very thick garden gloves but she always manages to get a bite in just above, normally a tender bit of inside arm !!! :-(

I dont know if the chicks she had were from her eggs or she was just the Broody,I got her from a market.  I do know she did a fab job and her chick, or surrogate chick is thriving and now fully feathered, Gucci is a real cutie.  She still lays with Yumm and was sitting on her back earlier while she was on the nest guarding her egg and Yumm didn't seem to mind.  I think for that reason I will have to seperate her of the chick will annoy her too much while she is sitting.  I am afraid she wil be distraught at first though as she likes to be with her at all times, guess I will have to distract her somehow. (the chick not Yumm)