RedMoxie
Songster
Guessing this isnt that rare, but I have 3 broody hens right now, 2 both on a clutch of eggs and 1 without (will have eggs for her by Monday). I have 5 nesting boxes for 13 hens. 1 nesting box is located away from the others and the Orp setting these eggs is doing fine. For the other two, they are right next to one another. Every time the one on the eggs gets up, the other jumps (not really--they are being gentle so far) onto the clutch of eggs. The other drinks water, eats, then sulks and goes to the same box the other was in without eggs. They switch off like this all day. The eggs are pretty much always covered, but is this okay? Will it likely resolve once the rest of the eggs get here?
I've already tried moving the eggs to a remote nesting box, but they were left alone for several hours, so I returned them. I'm afraid to separate the hens and put them in the chicken hospital, because I'm afraid of breaking them and them not setting these eggs.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Can I let them keep rotating as long as the eggs continue to be covered?
I've already tried moving the eggs to a remote nesting box, but they were left alone for several hours, so I returned them. I'm afraid to separate the hens and put them in the chicken hospital, because I'm afraid of breaking them and them not setting these eggs.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Can I let them keep rotating as long as the eggs continue to be covered?
