Just had my first hatch, ever. I collected 6 eggs from my 2 hens in 4 days and put those in my new incubator. Then I let the eggs collect in the nest box and the hens laid another 18 eggs together. They both use the same box that they both fit into easily. They both went broodie together and 'shared' the eggs. The first 6 eggs hatched well, and a few days later I prepared the incubator for the final days - Humidity up and put 12 of the eggs from the nest box in. I didn't think having all 18 eggs out there together in one box would go too well. Out of the 24 eggs altogether 20 of them hatched. Didn't think that was too bad for a first time, ever. Two more pipped, but died before finishing. Broke them open later and the chicks appeared to be formed fine. Don't know what happened. Two other ones just never started. Waited a couple of days and candled them and there were chicks in them, but I didn't bother opening them. The other 2 stunk bad enough already.
Here's a pic of some of them. Thought the one had a 'great hair do'
