Broody hen nest box question

[Ronnie2]

Now that I have two broody hens, and one is where I kept my bought eggs after incubation. Can I add another nest box along side of the other one, or will they I have to keep all the laying hens separated? My coop total size is 8-foot wide, and 16-foot long, and seven foot high. I have the brood hen in a space 3-foot, by 8-foot, with private run. The other broody is in the coop, which I'm sure it won't belong when she is joined by another. I guess to answer my own question is just divide the space into 2-foot wide compartments. Any better ideas?

 

[UThobbyfarmer]

I have limited experience with broody hens. The one I had most recently set in a medium sized dog kennel. I put out other nest boxes in area but all the hens would cozy up to her in the kennel when laying. Didn't bother her at all. In fact she would pull them right into her clutch. I checked under her twice daily and removed the new eggs. All these bird were free ranged.

 

[MrPepers]

The broody hens should be fine as long as there isn't more than one per nest box.

 

[Ronnie2]

Yes I agree about one layer per nest, found out the hard way. The second one was also broody laying also, and started kicking the first hens marked eggs out. The first one egg kicked out I thought was natures way of telling it was a bad egg, so I discarded it. Then the next day there were four more on the coop floor. Thats when I asked for help, and separated them. Now all is well. Newbie!!

 

[chickens really]

To limit stress on my Broody Hens I separate till she hatches them...Then her and the Chicks go back into the flock after a few days....