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Author Topic: How many eggs to leave broody with?  (Read 2481 times)

Azzdodd

  • Joined Apr 2012
How many eggs to leave broody with?
« 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?

piglady

  • Joined May 2015
  • Kirkbride, Wigton, Cumbria
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #1 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.

Clarebelle

  • Joined Jan 2013
  • Orkney
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #2 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.

Bramham Wiltshire Horns

  • Joined Oct 2014
  • leeds
  • Bramham flock Wiltshire Horns
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2015, 10:09:41 am »
i put 10 under all different from same cockeral
shes quite content sat there with them
follow on FB@BramhamWiltshireHorns

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #4 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.

Azzdodd

  • Joined Apr 2012
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #5 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

bloomer

  • Joined Aug 2010
  • leslie, fife
  • i have chickens, sheep and opinions!!!
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2015, 03:55:56 pm »
I wish my marks only seem to want to sit on 4-6 eggs!

Stereo

  • Joined Aug 2012
Re: How many eggs to leave broody with?
« Reply #7 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.

 

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