The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Azzdodd on May 16, 2015, 08:03:42 am

Title: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: Azzdodd on May 16, 2015, 08:03:42 am: Well about 5 days ago one of my speckled hens went broody wasn't sure how many eggs she was on after closer inspection today when she went for a drink I check 18 eggs odear! She is a large hen but sure that's to many? How many should I leave her with?
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: piglady on May 16, 2015, 09:02:25 am: 18 are rather more than she could cope with and I suspect that she is sitting on eggs laid by several hens. Are they all likely to be fertile? It would be worth candling them after a few more days and taking away at least 8, as any that aren't fertile will go rotten, smell dreadful and could affect the health of the chicks in the other eggs.
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: Clarebelle on May 16, 2015, 09:06:02 am: we had a broody hatch 14 out of 16 eggs last year. she hid herself away and i didnt find her til near the end, if id have found her earlier i probably would have taken her down to 10 eggs but it goes to show they can manage more than we give them credit for.
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: Bramham Wiltshire Horns on May 16, 2015, 10:09:41 am: i put 10 under all different from same cockeral
shes quite content sat there with them
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: Marches Farmer on May 16, 2015, 04:02:08 pm: I have a Dorking sitting on 12 originally but she's just chucked out an infertile one. Dorkings are very broad breasted, though, so I hope the other 11 will be OK.
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: Azzdodd on May 18, 2015, 01:10:45 pm: Well that's the plan candle at 8 days an the infertile ones can go she's still sitting on them very happily
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: bloomer on May 18, 2015, 03:55:56 pm: I wish my marks only seem to want to sit on 4-6 eggs!
Title: Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
Post by: Stereo on May 18, 2015, 04:22:47 pm: I usually go for 9 with a normal large fowl hen. Got a very frumpy LS gone through and I reckon I might try her with a dozen.