2 broody hens with their new chicks 2 days apart

[Alicat4244]

Ok long story short..... I have to broodys that were hanging out in the main coop. One if them who happens to be on the bottom of the pecking order was using community nest that all the others HAVE *eye roll* to use. Well a couple of her eggs got crushed . I separated her and put her in my little coop tractor I have. Everyone is happy now ..... I have one mama that hatched hers 2 days ago and the other hatched hers this morning . My question is now that I've separated the one mama , should I keep her separated? My concern is she's not tough enough like the other . The other hen already has hers out walking around and you could tell she's going to be a good protector. I'm concerned about the other.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Unfortunately there is but one way to find out. I've never lost a chick to another adult flock member regardless if where the broody ranks in the pecking order. But I have a lot of room. I think that is important. My other hens aren't that aggressive toward the chicks anyway but some people have some that are. You just don't get guarantees with living animals and their behaviors. About anything can possibly happen.

Having two broody hens with chicks only a couple of days apart complicates it. Usually each broody will imprint on her chicks and the chicks imprint on their Mama and each broody takes care of her chicks. But sometimes one broody wants to take over raising all the chicks. The broodies could fight it out with the winner getting all the chicks. It's possible chicks could be hurt in the fight if it happens.

It is possible the two broodies would work together as a team to raise the chicks.

Some people have reported that one broody may try to kill the other hen's chicks.

I'd be more concerned with the other broody than with the flock in general. As a minimum I'd want the hens and their chicks to be isolated for several days, maybe even a week, to give then time to imprint on their own chicks.

Another option is to try to give all the chicks to one broody and see if she will take them. There is a fair chance this would work. Then you just break the other broody.

 

[Alicat4244]

Thanks ours free range so they have tons of room and multiple coops that hold 25 a piece ( I have 16 birdstotal) they just all choose to go in same coop and use same nest lil . I might give it a few days like you said and just hope for the best and see what happens

Unfortunately there is but one way to find out. I've never lost a chick to another adult flock member regardless if where the broody ranks in the pecking order. But I have a lot of room. I think that is important. My other hens aren't that aggressive toward the chicks anyway but some people have some that are. You just don't get guarantees with living animals and their behaviors. About anything can possibly happen.

Having two broody hens with chicks only a couple of days apart complicates it. Usually each broody will imprint on her chicks and the chicks imprint on their Mama and each broody takes care of her chicks. But sometimes one broody wants to take over raising all the chicks. The broodies could fight it out with the winner getting all the chicks. It's possible chicks could be hurt in the fight if it happens.

It is possible the two broodies would work together as a team to raise the chicks.

Some people have reported that one broody may try to kill the other hen's chicks.

I'd be more concerned with the other broody than with the flock in general. As a minimum I'd want the hens and their chicks to be isolated for several days, maybe even a week, to give then time to imprint on their own chicks.

Another option is to try to give all the chicks to one broody and see if she will take them. There is a fair chance this would work. Then you just break the other broody.

 

[Alicat4244]

Ok so an update . As of now both mamas are still separated. I'm giving it till the weekend . Today while I was off I was really able to observe. First thing is the mama and chick in the tractor coop slept on the ground all night . Its predator proof before anyone freaks out lol . I put a box in there on the ground with wood chips hoping she'd get in there or her actual nest,she didnt, and she's just not as motherly(if you've had a good mama you know lol) .Today the mama that is free ranging with her baby. .... she is Awesome! . Today she Has stayed by the tractor coop , walking away from time to time . When she walks off if the other hens' chick peeps she runs right back to the tractor coop where the other chick is and the chick also seems to want to go with her . so I'm gonna give it a couple days and just open the door and let everyone sort it out. If the hen that's not in the coop takes on that other chick what will happen to the other mama I wander? Does that break her and she just go back to normal? I don't like having more than one go broody

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, if she loses her chick she will break from being broody in a few days.

 

[Alicat4244]