Broody Competition

The Brick Coop

Songster
14 Years
Feb 6, 2010
88
85
117
Question. I just moved two Jersey Giant broodies from the outdoor pen to a quiet coop with their own individual nest boxes. I gave them each two clutches of 18 fertile eggs. At first they tried to both go into the same nest but yesterday morning they settled on their own next door to each other. they can see each other if they stick their heads out. I plan to candle in five days to remove those that do not develop. If the rate is low upon checking, I plan to put them all under one and give fresh fertile eggs to the other. This means that when the first clutch hatches the other may get jealous and come off her set. I am worried she might then go join the other and smash some. Has anyone found that this is dangerous to have two hens with different timings??? they might accidentally go smash each others' eggs before the hatch too. The flock they were from is good with no egg-eating so far. They have a roll-out nest in their big doghouse but some started to use straw nests when the black broody took over the roll-out and started defending it.
 
Your concerns are valid - especially with hens that large. I would recommend a solid barrier between the two of them.
 

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