[Floyd]

Might as well make good use of her.  Can I put 12 eggs under her, would love to try some Buff/Splash Orpingtons.

Many thanks

[mentalmilly]

Yes go for it.

[HesterF]

Hmm - depends how big she is. I've got lots of Orp broodies (all first year) and I'm not sure they'd cope with 12. I've been trying them with max 9 duck eggs and normally a couple have been kicked out. Clearly they can cope with more hens eggs but mine are big birds so if you've got a smaller breed and it's her first brood, I'd go slightly lower on numbers unless you're prepared to sacrifice a couple.

H

[chrismahon]

Don't spend too much on eggs if it is her first time Floyd. Our year old Buff Orpington ate her first hatch. !2 will be too many. Perhaps 9 if she is big enough.

[sokel]

2 of our first year Buffs had 8 eggs under each of them and where sitting great, but both of them got bored and came off, first one at 16 days the second at 18 days so be prepared to have a backup plan

[HesterF]

Definitely back-up plan is helpful - I've been able to add eggs into the incubator instead having set them all at the same time. Fingers crossed I've saved a couple. I have to say that a couple of my broodies have been extraordinary. One had sat for 35 days before she hatched a single duckling and has been a brilliant mother since. One is still sitting and she's now 44 days in -if all goes well for her she will finally hatch next Wednesday(ish).

H