I can't get underneath her to figure out how many she's setting on -- well, to be truthful I just don't like being pecked at so haven't given it much effort. I figured once she hatches some chicks, I'll just toss any eggs that might be left over. The eggs I am able to retrieve from the other hens are close to her but not underneath her, and are cool to the touch so I assume they are freshies. I check a couple times a day, and the nest box has a hinged roof so it is easy to sneak a peek without bothering her too much. The other hens are also starting to use my make-shift cardboard-box- on-its-side nest box.
Perhaps a side bonus -- I've had 3-4 birds regularly huddling up together inside the nest box at night since they were babies. I've noticed that there is considerably less droppings in there lately, so perhaps the broody hen is claiming it as her territory and chasing them away at night.
