Batam and large fowl eggs under broodies?

[2seth2]

So I have 2 amercuanas that are brooding together and they have a mix of Dutch, Bantam col rock, and austrolorp eggs under them.
My first question is should i let them brood together and my second is what if some eggs hatch earlier than others?

 

[sumi]

Brooding together as in the same nest box? What you can do is once the chicks start hatching remove one of the hens with the chicks that have hatched and leave the unhatched eggs under the remaining broody. This would be easier if they are sitting in separate boxes and also if you can put the first broody and her chicks somewhere the remaining one won't see them. Bantam eggs do sometimes hatch earlier, because they are so small. I had a medium size bantam hen who's eggs all hatched on day 18-19.

 

[2seth2]

Yes they are in the same nest box and the box is off the ground

 

[sumi]

I think you should try and separate them and move one into her own box with her share of the eggs. Do this in the evening, while they are sleepy and less likely to be upset.

 

[2seth2]

The nest boxes are about a 1 1/2 ft off the ground so should i give each a cage?

 

[sumi]

Let them hatch the eggs in the nest boxes and move them after the hatch rather. Moving a broody is risky, but I think moving at least one of them now would prevent possible problems later.