This happened before as well, we bought 12 chicks, and then 2 of our hens went broody and hatched some more.
Should be lesson learned, but no, this year I couldn't pass up a bargain and bought 10 chicks through the mail. This must have been a signal to the broodies to get to work.
This blond hen is one of the remaining 2 chicks hatched here last year. She is sitting on 10 eggs. I guess this is a competition.
She is inexperienced at the egg-sitting thing and failed on her first try. I think a heat wave made the coop unbearably hot and she gave up on the 5 eggs after 2 days. When she returned that night, she went in a different box. So I tossed those eggs and thought she was done, but no, she's back and doing much better this time. She does sneak out for a few minutes every day, but it is warm enough that I don't think it will harm the eggs.
Only time will tell. Chicks should start hatching on July 25 if she does her job well.
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