Broodies and babies

[tjmings]

I currently have a mama in a separate coop that just had three babies a couple days ago. I now have two more broodies......it's contagious! I trying to figure out if I can add my broodies with the new mama. The coop the new mama is in has an upstairs coop and nest box. The downstairs has an underneath run and a longer extended run. I currently have the upstairs coop closed off so the babies don't fall down. I am considering moving mama and chicks downstairs and putting the two broodies upstairs. My first concern if I do this is I don't have a nest box downstairs for mama and chicks. Could I just use a box for this purpose? My second question is, can you put two broodies together in a nest box without problems? Would they raise the chicks together when they are born or would there be potential problems? And third, could there be any potential issues with have a broody and a new mama together? Thanks!!

 

[azygous]

Keeping the broodies separate is your best plan because of the temperamental nature of broodies. In case you haven't noticed, some broodies can get pretty psycho. Those hormones, I swear.

Juggling broodies is a very complicated endeavor. You might consider breaking the two new ones to simplify your life, as well as the broody's and her new chicks.

If you don't want to break the broodies, then moving them upstairs and out of the way would be what I would do. Then when their eggs hatch, move the new families downstairs for safety and so the broodies can more easily access the outdoors.

No one can know if your two broodies will want to co-raise their chicks. It could turn out very sweet and successful or it could be a nightmare. You can only wait and see what you get and then try to deal with the fall-out if things decide to go south on you. What I would do is break one of the broodies so that you aren't facing such an unknown, yet possibly stressful, outcome.

 

[tjmings]

Thank you! I was leaning towards breaking one of my broodies because she is definitely PSYCHO!!!

 

[cinnabunz]

I got lucky with my broody, shes a real sweet heart and lets you stick your hand in and pet her