It happens all the time. You won't have to worry about splitting up any chicks, because they almost never hatch in these circumstances. When there are too many eggs, those on the outside get chilled, and eventually get rotated inside, where the inside eggs get rotated out to be chilled and die, so they all get a chance to be exposed at one time or another. In the unlikely event that one or two does hatch, there will still be many others unhatched, and so the hens often stay too long on the nest, while the hatched chicks die. Best thing to do is remove all eggs, and house a hen that you want to set in a seperate pen. Give her a few weeks, or months depending on breed, and she'll start to lay again. Replace her eggs with dummy eggs, you only need to leave 2 or 3. When she starts to set again, replace the dummies with a dozen or so of her or someone else's eggs, that have not been themselves left in a nest. You'll know the exact hatch date, and they'll all hatch at once.

Velvet Sparrow: I read your "me page" about broody hens & found it very helpful & true. I have 2 golden sebright hens, both spring chickens, and both are/were broody. I originally asked about hen "Quantess"... Well, I didn't mention that our other golden sebright, "Quanto" had been sitting on a hidden nest since late August! Obviously, she's sitting on rotten eggs. No one knows where her nest is....under the tool shed, we suspect. We will smell it soon. This morning I grabbed Quanto while she was off the nest to eat. She was easy to grab because she was challenging me like a rooster. I locked her in a side-compartment of the coop. She seems to be doing fine. Acting weird, but, healthy. My question is, how long until I can let unsuccessful wanna-be-mom "Quanto" out? And, what is it with these Golden Sebright hens being so desperate to be moms, yet, so undesired by the roosters?! We have a Barred-Rock rooster and a Polish Crested rooster but both boys see Quantess & Quanto as desirable as chopped liver. Quantess and "Jackie" the polish crested roo were raised as a pair. The two were lil' buddies...until Jackie matured & met the beauty queen hen "Fancy". The 2 roosters compete over Fancy. Of course the bigger Barred Rock roo won the competition. Jackie only mates with his chickhood girlfriend, Quantess, when Fancy isn't around. Quantess is 2nd fiddle. Quanto, the Quantess look-alike hen .... I think she's still a virgin.

Karen - Seems your female is a bit ahead of schedule... But I would hope you still have a good chance for hatchlings if she's incubating and staying in the box a lot. I suspect she knows she has to keep those eggs warm, and will try to. Connie - Sorry I know next to nothing about ducks. I would worry too if they're not incubating yet. Our Missy Blue has been incubating 5 blue eggs day and night for the past 10days. She spends most of her time on the nest, with just short breaks during the day. Her Mr.B is feeding her thru the hole like a champ. It's also a good bit warmer here I'm sure, altho we've approached freezing two nights since the last egg was laid. I wish best luck to all of us, Kenn

I have personally seen one egg hatch on the 21st day (nest cam) but that is very unusual. There were 3 in that nest and only the one hatched. Diane, just to be on the safe side I'd probably leave them another day or two but it's probably unlikely they'll hatch. I'm sure that extreme cold or heat can be a factor in a failed nesting. I understand how you feel, not wanting to be the "bad guy" by removing her eggs but they do forgive and forget quickly and buy cleaning out this one, she might have another go at it. I think I'd remove the eggs but leave the nest. Lisa, I also suffer from CRS! On a daily basis! :D