broody hen feud...my little soap opera

[Just Wingin It]

Im quite curious how the relationship is between momma chicken and duckling. How do the behavioral differences come out?

 

[fshinggrl]

Last year I had two three hens go broody. One quit and then one went 19 days. I moved the remaining eggs (the ones I deemed alive) to another broody who was in the coop (vs in the compost pile where I set up the 2nd momma.). Then the 2nd broody decided she wanted the eggs again and shared the responsibility of laying on the eggs with broody #3. Both mommas shared responsibility of raising the three chicks who hatched. Right now I've got 3 broodies laying on eggs. 15 more days to go!

 

[Just Wingin It]

So, both hens decided to raise the 6 chicks together.... then anotger hen started sitting on the remaining eggs. She sat for about a week, then decided she was done and wanted chicks too.... so I have three hens waltzing around teaching 6 chick. The chicks seem to take to it pretty well, it seems "momma" is the closest hen to them at the moment.