3 Broody Hens

[Abbkayx]

Hi all!

So I have just a quick question... I have 3 broody hens (one standard Australorop, and two bantams). They all went broody at different times, and all are sitting on eggs.

The problem is that the hens keep switching nest boxes. So my standard hen, was on the most eggs (since she’s the biggest), and the bantams were on just a few. And the problem with that is, when they switch boxes the bantams can’t sit on all the eggs that the standard hen was on, successfully. There will be 2-3 that the bantams can’t keep warm.

Is this normal behavior for them to keep switching? I don’t think it happens when they get up to eat or drink because I’ve been going out every couple hours and each time they are all in different positions.

Also, the last two times I’ve gone out there’s have been eggs they seemed to have tossed out of the box, just sitting on the floor. Do they know which eggs are viable?

The one bantam went broody 3 weeks ago tomorrow and she was on 7 eggs, so they should be hatching any day - and I’m worried with them switching they won’t stay warm enough. Any ideas or tips?

Side note** when the standard size hen went broody, she was sharing a nesting box and the eggs with the first broody bantam. They were falling out of the box so they moved the eggs onto a pile of straw on the floor. (See photo) The standard ended up sitting on ALL the eggs, and the bantam didn’t have any so we gave her a few and technically made another pile of eggs for her. Was this a bad idea? Lol


Also sorry this may be confusing I’m just so lost on what to do with my 3 crazy girls.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

This for me is normal. They hatch up to 12(?) and so they can’t incubate all of them. It depends, you can save the left out eggs by putting them in the incubator.

 

[sylviethecochin]

This is why a lot of people separate their broody hens. I would isolate whichever one has a nearly finished nest, as soon as they begin to hatch. Often, the one chicken will hatch chicks, the other two will say, "great! chicks!" and wander away from their own nests to become mothers 2 and 3. If you separate her when the chicks begin to hatch, she will hear the peeping eggs and stay on her nest, even if you move it.

Chickens have no idea what eggs are viable, in my experience. Some people say that they do, but the fact that mine will sit on golf balls, infertile eggs, and rocks makes me doubt it.

The switching and tossing may have chilled or delayed the development of some of the eggs, if the smaller hens can't cover them all. I would candle and remove any that look dead.

 

[Abbkayx]

This is why a lot of people separate their broody hens. I would isolate whichever one has a nearly finished nest, as soon as they begin to hatch. Often, the one chicken will hatch chicks, the other two will say, "great! chicks!" and wander away from their own nests to become mothers 2 and 3. If you separate her when the chicks begin to hatch, she will hear the peeping eggs and stay on her nest, even if you move it.

Chickens have no idea what eggs are viable, in my experience. Some people say that they do, but the fact that mine will sit on golf balls, infertile eggs, and rocks makes me doubt it.

The switching and tossing may have chilled or delayed the development of some of the eggs, if the smaller hens can't cover them all. I would candle and remove any that look dead.

Great thank you!

We’ve been candling almost everyday and I’ve already removed I believe 9 that weren’t viable, or ones that “quit”. The first broody bantam was actually sitting on NINETEEN at one point, because the other hens kept laying in her box. That was also a disaster lol. I will keep an eye on them and separate out the momma that has the closest to hatch eggs.

So if I separate her in her own box but within the coop (so others can’t access her but she has food and water etc ) will the other two stay broody on their eggs since they may hear the chick? Or is better to completely separate them in another room / area?

 

[Abbkayx]

Update:

The two broodys that were sharing a box hatched one baby, and then they stopped sitting on their eggs. They are mothering together. I gave the rest of the eggs to the last broody (this is her second time), and she also hatched one and is still faithfully sitting on her eggs. Have about 7 more eggs that hopefully will hatch.

Here’s some photos of the two moms and their baby lol.

 

[Abbkayx]

Update:

The two broodys that were sharing a box hatched one baby, and then they stopped sitting on their eggs. They are mothering together. I gave the rest of the eggs to the last broody (this is her second time), and she also hatched one and is still faithfully sitting on her eggs. Have about 7 more eggs that hopefully will hatch.

Here’s some photos of the two moms and their baby lol.

Also should note, the last broody I put in a small tote with food and water, and put a lid on (with a large cutout for air) so hopefully she has no choice but to continue sitting until all eggs hatch. If she decides to stop sitting, I will buy an incubator and incubate the rest. Fingers crossed it won’t come to that though.