Space Chick Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Planning ahead How many eggs is it practical to put under a broody, with the resulting potential of how many chicks is it possible for a Mum to look after? I would appreciate 2 answers, 1 if I use my Wyandotte or other typical large fowl, another if I use my LF Silkie - who is a smaller girl Thanks guys, I have a book on order on hatching from Amazon (as previously recommended by Egluntyne on another thread), so maybe my questions will diminish as I read.... on the other hand probably not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Sorry Debs, cant help you really, but at a guess I'd say at least 6, how many were you thinking of hatching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Well, I am getting 6 from a very lovely Omleteer but have also seen eggs on ebay that are being sold in 3's that I am very tempted to take a punt on. Being secretive until I do more research So was thinking 9, but appreciate that this may be pushing it, but equally probably not all will be fertile/hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I'd maybe say 6 under the silkie, and 8-10 under the wyandotte/LF. It depends on how big they are really, some will be able to cover more - best to have one less than more, so none are left uncovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I put 10 under my silkie cross and she 'pancaked' beautifully over all of them, although 4 turned out to be infertile, so she hatched 6. I put 12 under my orp, who was so stupid she kept leaving some uncovered under her ample bosom and we had to keep running out to her and tucking them in. I kept candling and removing the non-growers so that she ended up with8 under her and she hatched 5. (gosh, i think that's right: I'll have to check my posts to see...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 It also depends on the size of the eggs. Poland eggs are quite small whereas Sussex & Marans etc have bigger eggs. My Silkie sat on 10 Poland eggs, 5 were clear so I whipped them out after 7 days. There's no way she could've covered 10 LF eggs though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 An odd number is supposed to be best, though I'm not sure if that's an old wive's tale or not! Be careful about putting so many under that she doesn't quite cover them comfortably, because they will all get slightly chilled at some time during the period, which will mean a late and reduced hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom123 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I always set an odd number as they fit into circle under the hen. Under a Wyandotte or similar I would put 9-11 and under the silkie I would put 5-7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 It might be worth buying your eggs and putting them in a cheap inccy (I have one you can borrow if ness) then candle at 7 days and only put the fertile one under the broody, that way there probably wont be that many and you know that none are 'wasted space' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 An odd number is supposed to be best, though I'm not sure if that's an old wive's tale or not! My old neighbour, who kept chickens for years, always used to say that an odd number was the way to go. Trouble is, when you buy via ebay and the like, they come in multiples of 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 The key is whether she can keep them covered, she will move them around, so it will not be one egg left out in the cold if they do not fit under it will be different bits of different eggs. Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 We did 6 under Cheyenne - one was broken and 2 didn't hatch - left us with 3 and that was quite manageable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 It might be worth buying your eggs and putting them in a cheap inccy (I have one you can borrow if ness) then candle at 7 days and only put the fertile one under the broody, that way there probably wont be that many and you know that none are 'wasted space' Good thinking Tasha I may take you up on the offer of borrowing the inccy, I think Phil would have a fit if I said I was going to buy one Although, he was happy with the Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Just let me know if you need it, will be a good excuse to visit you or invite you to the madhouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 Sound like we are also hatching a plan Tash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 It might be worth buying your eggs and putting them in a cheap inccy (I have one you can borrow if ness) then candle at 7 days and only put the fertile one under the broody, that way there probably wont be that many and you know that none are 'wasted space' Good thinking Tasha I may take you up on the offer of borrowing the inccy, I think Phil would have a fit if I said I was going to buy one Although, he was happy with the oooh broody or inccy cam!!!! If there is no webcam then can I caome and live with you for a few months whilst the chickies are growing....I am feeling broody! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
