Day 5/6....Can I put more eggs under my broody?

[julesapple]

Hi guys, not posted much in ages, just been reading for knowledge instead.

Margot (a Cochin cross, big fluffy girl) started off with a dozen Appenzeller Spitzhauben eggs. We are down to nine, including one which rolled out of the nest. It was cold when I found it, but I've marked it and put it back in. If she rolls it out again, I'll throw it away. It's Day 5 or 6 - probably five as we had a rocky start to the process last week.

I need to know if it's possible to add more fertile eggs to her nest this far into the hatch? I know that a broody lays a clutch over up to 12 days, possibly more, before she starts the lay in earnest - so, working on this principle, would it be possible to add three or four more eggs now?

Thanks!

[Scarlet]

No, day 1 starts when she starts sitting not when she's laying. If she's been sitting on them for 5 or6 days it's too long a gap. The whole process only takes 21 days so your 25% done. You may well risk the ones she's already sat on.

[julesapple]

Thanks Scarlet. It was just a thought I was playing with.

Really hope we get some chicks out of this hatch, and that one or two are girls. Everything that could go wrong so far, has gone wrong.

Another question; What's the latest anyone's had hatchlings in the year? I'd really love some fresh girls for our flock, but if this hatch fails am I okay (providing I have a broody at the time) to hatch more throughout the Summer?

Thanks

[Scarlet]

Yes plenty if time yet! Really early days. Though you won't be able to have two sets of chicks in the same pen. Even 3 weeks makes a huge difference in size during their early days.

[Scarlet]

FYI, my worst hatch was 9 boys 1 girl!!! Couldn't believe it. Fingers crossed for you.

[Bill HH]

I would say no, the first ones will hatch and I think mom will abandon the late comers. But stranger things have happened and you are only risking a few eggs.

I used to hatch out pheasant eggs under broody hens and the hen used to eat the chicks as they emerged if I didn't get there in time.

[Scarlet]

Usually it's a 24-36 hour window before they abandon the remaining eggs. 5 days difference is just too long. Besides that, introducing more eggs now can upset the applecart and she may decide to abandon the lot.

[julesapple]

Thanks Bill & Scarlet.

Would I just be risking the few new eggs though? This is the thing. Probably safer to see what comes of this hatch and, then, try another later on. I only have the girls to hatch, no 'bator or brooder, so fingers crossed!

[Scarlet]

Probably safer to see what comes of this hatch and, then, try another later on.

Yes, that's what I would do. Though you may need to keep a careful eye on her. Cochins are very clumsy birds ...
What other breeds have you got that go broody?

[julesapple]

I think our Scots Dumpy is probably the best broody we have had in the past, however this year her broodiness was shortlived. She's five though, now.

We also have a Marsh Daisy, a Partridge Wyandotte, a Cream Legbar, a Light Sussex, a Copper Marans, a Plymouth Rock and 5 crossbreeds.

A couple have been broody, but we discouraged them. I don't think they were seriously broody.