The average is 3 - 5, but I have had pairs lay 7 or 8 eggs. The most I've had hatch from a single hen is 7. My pairs will usually start incubation after egg number 2 or 3 is laid and they sit for 20-something days. I say 20 something because once they start laying I only check once every 3 or 4 days until I hear chicks in the nest box. It's usually 22 - 26 days and the chicks hatch a day apart from each other. This gives Mom and Dad a chance to build up to feeding all those hungry mouths instead of having a bunch of them appear all at once. If eggs are removed then the hen will lay more until she decides to stop. It's best to remove broken eggs from the box so they don't rot in there, otherwise, leave them alone. Make sure she's getting plenty of dark green veggies that are rich in calcium. This will help her replenish her own reserves. It takes a lot out of them to lay so many eggs. It helps if you don't let them double clutch either. Once the chicks are done being fed or have been removed from the box, either block it off or remove it so they don't breed again right away.