Broody hen gave up clutch to another hen

[tricia007]

Is this even possible? My broody hen of almost 2 weeks got up this morning and has not returned to her nest!!! It is now almost 3:00, did she just quit? I have been watching for hours and another hen has been sitting on those eggs now for about 3 hours- she didn't appear broody until now. At first I suspected she was just laying an egg while the Momma was up, but I keep opening the nest box and she is just sitting in it, laying on those eggs!

I have the eggs marked, so I can remove the extras.

Any ideas? Has anyone else seen this happen?

TIA!!

 

[Judy]

I had hens share the nest and then share raising the chicks. I've also had hens steal eggs from a broody, and put them in another nest. I've read of hens taking clutches of eggs from another hen.

They can get up to all sorts of mischief. You might want to read post #3 here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853934/three-broody-hens/0_20#post_12789421

 

[tricia007]

Great read!!! Thanks for the link!!!