2 Broodys co parenting?

[Teacherchick18]

One of my silkies went broody so I gave her 6 eggs to hatch. About a week into her sitting, the other silkie started sitting too. When one would get off the nest to eat, drink and stretch her legs, the other would get on the eggs. They never fought and seemed to be happily sharing the hatching duties. Well now we have 3 hatched, another pipped and it seems that the mamas are getting a little protective. The first baby is under my girl Baby and the other 2 and the unhatched eggs are under Lorraine. If the ones under Lorraine get out and switch moms, then she’ll go after them to get them back. I’m wondering if I should separate these 2 and give them each some babies because I noticed that the chick under Baby has a small abrasion on the back of her head and neck and I don’t know if it’s from trying to get the chick back or aggression toward the chick. I’ve never had 2 broody at the same time. I’m afraid to do anything that could jeopardize the unhatched chicks as well. Thanks for your insight!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You can read a lot of stories on here about two or even three broodies hatching together in the same nest and raising the chicks together. Some people regularly have several broodies in the same coop at the same time in their own nests, hatching at different times. Often it does work out well.

But I've had broody hens fight over eggs that were pipping, with several eggs getting destroyed. Sometimes hens fight over the chicks. Usually one wins and takes over but occasionally a chick can get hurt. I have not seen this one but some people say they have seen broody hens kill the chicks that hatch under the other one.

I can't tell you what will happen with yours but instead of separating them and giving each some chicks, I'd break one from being broody and let the other have all of them. That should be easier than trying to have two broodies raise chicks at the same time. But you can certainly try it if you wish.