2 broody hens sharing a nest

[janda0923]

I have 2 black australorp hens that have both turned broody at the same time. This is both their first time broody. The nesting boxes they started in were side by side and open to one another, so they were aware each other was there. Since these are the boxes most of our hens lay in, last night (day 2 of being broody) we moved both hens and eggs to a new nest inside a coop. They have space between them (going to try and include a pic) and so far this morning, things have been well. No fighting or confusion. They are sweet girls. I've never dealt with this situation successfully before and I'm curious if there is anything I should look out for or if I need to change the current situation before chicks start hatching. We have limited space right now and this is the only place I have to accommodate both of them. Thanks in advance for all advice!

 

[Sagey_7878]

Do you want to hatch chicks? I’d say let them have separate areas as when they start hatching, one will hear chicks and abandon her nest to go to the other hens chicks causing a fight, killing all the chicks.

 

[bigz1983]

I had 2 silkie hens that went broody at the same time and shared a nest and it did not go well for me.

The eggs hatched on different days and one of them went homicidal and tried to kill all the baby chicks. Luckily I caught her in the act and stopped her before she did more damage. She managed to kill 2 baby chicks before I could stop her. I was so mad that she is not alive anymore.

I think it would best to keep them on separate nest but I have heard it can work. The hens need to be friends and be on the same page though.

 

[janda0923]

Do you want to hatch chicks? I’d say let them have separate areas as when they start hatching, one will hear chicks and abandon her nest to go to the other hens chicks causing a fight, killing all the chicks.

I had 2 silkie hens that went broody at the same time and shared a nest and it did not go well for me.

The eggs hatched on different days and one of them went homicidal and tried to kill all the baby chicks. Luckily I caught her in the act and stopped her before she did more damage. She managed to kill 2 baby chicks before I could stop her. I was so mad that she is not alive anymore.

I think it would best to keep them on separate nest but I have heard it can work. The hens need to be friends and be on the same page though.

They are both new at this. You can tell they're first timers, they are not very good a knowing what to do. Do you think that will increase or decrease my chances of success?

 

[bigz1983]

They are both new at this. You can tell they're first timers, they are not very good a knowing what to do. Do you think that will increase or decrease my chances of success?

I think it will decrease your chances of success personally. I had a young barred rock hen(first time broody) go broody last June and she gave up mid way through the process.

 

[RWise]

I myself keep broodies in a bachelor pad in site of the flock but no touch. And that is each one in their own space. Once the chicks hatch (@ 2-3 DO) I open the gate when she steps off the nest with them. She then has the choice to come back there or go to the coop, she would take them to roost at about 4 weeks old.
I have had fights over nests, the other girls want to place their egg under the broody. This leads to broken eggs and eggs that are not developed enuf to hatch. A very smelly, nasty nest with death all in it. Also the broodies will go back after their dust/poo/eat, and find their nest covered and take another, leaving the started eggs to get cold and die.
Good Luck!

 

[centrarchid]

They are both new at this. You can tell they're first timers, they are not very good a knowing what to do. Do you think that will increase or decrease my chances of success?

Decrease. I suggest you place a partition between that blocks movement of chicks from contacting hen that did not brood them. Then, when first hen comes off nest with brood, get her and chicks well away from hen still incubating. Problem I have had most frequently with your current situation is chicks hatching from first hen go over to second hen during first 24 hours post-hatch where the second hen pecks them because she is either not not imprinted on them because distance up to that point or simply not ready to imprint because she is not far enough along in the incubation cycle.