5 Broody Mamas

[Hartsharvestfarms]

Hey ya’ll
So we have 5 broody Mamas right now that are almost at day 21... out of our 7 Lavender Orpington hens, that’s a lot! We have had our Chickens for a year so are still learning the ropes and only one of our hens has gone broody before. She was a great mama and gave us 18 healthy, happy chicks. When she went broody we built a “mama/baby unit” in the coop that provided a safe space for her and her babies to house, while still keeping them in with the flock. We are NOT set up for 5 broody hens to be housed separately. My concern is how the broody hens will treat each other’s young when they hatch. Is it likely that a mama would try to attack another’s chicks? Please share any thoughts, advice, or experiences with multiple broody hens sharing living spaces. Thanks so much

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

This year is the first year I had a broody hen with chicks actively seeking out others broody hens chicks and killing them. I had 3 broody hens at one time. I will never have multiple broody hens again.

Every hen is different. I would expect some troubles with 5 hens hatching at a similar time.

 

[aart]

So we have 5 broody Mamas right now that are almost at day 21... out of our 7 Lavender Orpington hens, that’s a lot!

We are NOT set up for 5 broody hens to be housed separately.

Gotta say, you might have thought about that 3 weeks ago and broke 4 of them.

I have heard both wondrous stories of multiple broodies ...and nightmare scenarios like @oldhenlikesdogs .

I suggest that you get some other enclosures/crates set up pronto in case you need them.
Have they all stayed on their own nests throughout the incubation?
Best of cLuck to yas!

 

[Hartsharvestfarms]

Two seem to be going back and forth sharing a best, so I actually didn’t totally realize it was 5 (not 4) until a few days ago. We have a separate area for one mama/baby and I tried to move two of them in there about a week ago, but they were very upset and wouldn’t sit on the eggs until I put everyone back where they were. I tried a different hen in there and she did well, but then my rooster had an injury and needed to be moved in there for some recovery. I really thought having one coop, one “mama hatching room”, two brooder boxes and a quarantine crate would be sufficient! One brooder box is being occupied right now by ducklings, but I have the other one ready in case I need to move chicks out of harms way and I have been checking every few hours for babies while trying not to upset everyone. I have both incubated eggs and watched three be raised by mom and while both have their own benefits and challenges, I really love watching the hens raise the chicks because they naturally know how to do everything that I am just learning

 

[Hartsharvestfarms]

I’m also a little mixed about “breaking” them at this point In our chicken journey because it’s fighting what they instinctually want to do and they are very determined. I have not done it before but I don’t think this breed/these chickens would take to it easily and I want to support whatever little, natural animal instincts, they have left. Unless of course that results in killing each other’s chicks.

 

[ariri30]

I had two broody at the same time. I kept them in separate areas but I let them free range together and each stayed in their own space without any issues. Good luck

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Two seem to be going back and forth sharing a best, so I actually didn’t totally realize it was 5 (not 4) until a few days ago. We have a separate area for one mama/baby and I tried to move two of them in there about a week ago, but they were very upset and wouldn’t sit on the eggs until I put everyone back where they were. I tried a different hen in there and she did well, but then my rooster had an injury and needed to be moved in there for some recovery. I really thought having one coop, one “mama hatching room”, two brooder boxes and a quarantine crate would be sufficient! One brooder box is being occupied right now by ducklings, but I have the other one ready in case I need to move chicks out of harms way and I have been checking every few hours for babies while trying not to upset everyone. I have both incubated eggs and watched three be raised by mom and while both have their own benefits and challenges, I really love watching the hens raise the chicks because they naturally know how to do everything that I am just learning

Not every hen knows what to do. Most are fine, but some will attack chicks. Their own or others, so keep an eye on things.

 

[Hartsharvestfarms]

Thank you everyone, I’m watching them all for now and have my brooder ready if the chicks need to be taken. I will keep you updated! It’s definitely a little bit of chicken insanity over here right now

 

[ariri30]

Thank you everyone, I’m watching them all for now and have my brooder ready if the chicks need to be taken. I will keep you updated! It’s definitely a little bit of chicken insanity over here right nowView attachment 2229547

They are so pretty. You are awesome!

 

[Hartsharvestfarms]

They are so pretty. You are awesome!

Thank you so much, we are trying to be the best Chicken parents we can be and we have definitely learned a lot by doing things completely wrong! Just trying to soak everything up and learn from every mistake and move forward. Definitely a little overwhelming at times, but I love my sweet little flock and will continue to try to learn and grow. Grateful for this group and all the incredible knowledge!