2 hens sharing one nest..can I separate them

[Saltysteele]

one problem i've noted is if the hens started brooding at different times (like mine), they will switch their eggs back and forth, and the first hen will end up sitting for an extended period of time- the amount of time she sat before the 2nd started, PLUS the entire time the 2nd sits (because the 2nd's eggs will hatch only after they've sat for 21 days); unless you kick her out of the nest and put all the eggs under the 2nd hen, and don't allow the first back in to steal some back.

they get out and eat and drink, so i don't care; it's her time, not mine

 

[cmom]

I have had mine do it too.

 

[Saltysteele]

2 of my hens have broken from their nests, and are outside with the 2 chicks. i don't know who they belong to, because the 2 hens are both equally doting, and the chicks run to each hen.


the third hen is still on the nest and has a HUGE chick underneath her today! actually, it's not a chick, but their companion banty, bridgette. lol she is literally fully under the hen and the hen is brooding her

anyway, not only do the hens share duties of taking care of the chicks, the rooster also is slightly protective of them (or, at least protective of the hens who are protective of the chicks, so when the hens start up, he starts up)

 

[manybirds]

We had 2 silkie hens sit on the same nest. It went fine and they shared duties and where able to to sit on more eggs to! When one hen left to eat and drink the other would stay and keep the eggs warm.

 

[Mapolie]

i've got 3 sussex hens that are all sitting on eggs. their nest box has 3 nests, but they are all undivided.

none of them has bothered the others. actually, when chicks do hatch, the chicks go from hen to hen. the chicks kept falling down out of the nest box onto the coop floor (only several inches, but enough they can't get back in). now, the girls rotate who is sitting on eggs and who is sitting on the chicks. none show hostility towards the chicks or each other. if i rustle one to check the eggs, they will try to push the other off their nest, and a domino affect happens with the 3rd hen giving me stink eye to get on the nest

Hi guys I also have a problem my to bosvelders hens is sitting on one nest. At first the smaller 1 was laying in that nes now all hens is laying in 1 box and ja the box is big enough for all of them If I say all I mean 3 but 1 is not broody but two are can you help me tell me how to separate them cause 1 is giving the other one changes but then she don't want to get up again