4 broody hens in a snuggle puddle

[Nigel27]

I have four hens that have made a nest together in my sons fort. They’re very close, always together. All first time broodies. My question is : can I give them eggs to brood together? Should I separate them?
my last hen that had chicks got help from two other hens that kind of adopted the chicks part time. I’m hoping my puddle of broody hens will hatch a big clutch and raise them together. Does this sound possible?

 

[Nigel27]

Anyone have any advice?

 

[50-45-1]

I would recommend choosing one and giving her eggs. She needs a space separated from the others.
Co broodys rarely work out.
Eggs are fought over and broken or chilled.
Once chicks hatch, there is competition to take them over between hens
Sometimes it may work depending on your particular hens, but I wouldn't do it.

 

[sarahere4u]

I'm curious to know how your "snuggle puddle" worked out? Last year I only had one Wyandotte go broody, and she made such a good momma so I banded her to remember. This year she went broody again, and a few days later had a neighbor(RI Blue) go broody in the nestbox beside her. I came across this post because I started noticing that every time one of the hens hopped off the nest to eat/drink, a new hen(a different Wyandotte or my lavender Orpington) would hop on and sit for hours. So long,that the original broody hen would squeeze in with her and they would stay like that all day... Anyways, the chicks finally hatched under the original Wyandotte and RI Blue around the same time. They both came down with their new chicks and started showing them the ropes "together". They all forage together and co-parent so well, I can't tell whose chicks are whose... Now, the other girls that were helping on the nests earlier are sitting on more eggs and I'm still seeing the same behavior... Other hens will hop on while a broody jumps down to eat, but the other hens will leave when they return, with no new eggs added bc I marked them .. Such odd but delightful behavior that is pretty new among my flock... All in all, I'm not very experienced in this situation, but so far so good with my gals so I suggest for you to go for it with yours. While keeping a watchful eye on them, of course..

 

[Nigel27]

I'm curious to know how your "snuggle puddle" worked out? Last year I only had one Wyandotte go broody, and she made such a good momma so I banded her to remember. This year she went broody again, and a few days later had a neighbor(RI Blue) go broody in the nestbox beside her. I came across this post because I started noticing that every time one of the hens hopped off the nest to eat/drink, a new hen(a different Wyandotte or my lavender Orpington) would hop on and sit for hours. So long,that the original broody hen would squeeze in with her and they would stay like that all day... Anyways, the chicks finally hatched under the original Wyandotte and RI Blue around the same time. They both came down with their new chicks and started showing them the ropes "together". They all forage together and co-parent so well, I can't tell whose chicks are whose... Now, the other girls that were helping on the nests earlier are sitting on more eggs and I'm still seeing the same behavior... Other hens will hop on while a broody jumps down to eat, but the other hens will leave when they return, with no new eggs added bc I marked them .. Such odd but delightful behavior that is pretty new among my flock... All in all, I'm not very experienced in this situation, but so far so good with my gals so I suggest for you to go for it with yours. While keeping a watchful eye on them, of course..

They did great sitting together, all eggs had movement when candled, up until night 16/17, a fox went up the tree fort staircase (with urine deterrent) and took all three hens (one broody was a false alarm) and all 20 eggs leaving behind only a few feathers, not even an eggshell. There were a few feather piles 30 feet away in the grass. It was a sad day. I bought an electric fence that day for my whole yard.

 

[sarahere4u]

Wow, I was not expecting that to be your reply... That's just awful and I'm so sorry that happened! I'm sure we've all had our fair share of lessons learned the hard way, but that just sucks. Glad you put an electric fence up. Good luck in the future and maybe you'll get another snuggle puddle group

 

[SurferchickinSB]

They did great sitting together, all eggs had movement when candled, up until night 16/17, a fox went up the tree fort staircase (with urine deterrent) and took all three hens (one broody was a false alarm) and all 20 eggs leaving behind only a few feathers, not even an eggshell. There were a few feather piles 30 feet away in the grass. It was a sad day. I bought an electric fence that day for my whole yard.

That’s really sad Sorry you had such a horrible day.