Broody hen question

[fiset94]

So I have two broody hens - both silkies that like to go into the same nesting box

The nesting box is on the barn floor and they Always end up in there together sitting on eggs. ( note - we do not have any roosters)

I purchased fertile eggs for the first time last week and placed them under them on Monday. Every time it have went out to the barn this week they are still sitting contently together on them.

Question 1 - I have more eggs coming in on Saturday...... Can I give those to them as well or will there be issues with the first batch being given to them 5 days prior?

Question 2 - would you move one of the silkies and give that hen the Saturday eggs?


Thank you for your help!

 

[Judy]

The safest approach is probably to make a separate pace for one of the broodies to live, and give her the fertile eggs. It should have a small piece of ground for her to walk and poop and maybe dust bathe, as wells the obvious nest, food and water. My broody room is maybe 5' x 5'. Sometimes it works out fine when two broodies share a nest and raise chicks together, but sometimes it doesn't. More than one mama makes jostling the eggs around, trying to move them, etc. more likely. But if making a separate broody space is impractical, they may do fine working together. I once had three Kraienkoppe hens set eggs and raise chicks as a team with no problems at all. But I've had broodies steal eggs, fight over the nest, return to the wrong nest -- you name it -- as well. It's all about whatever works for you.

Once you get your fertile eggs, there is no reason to leave the infertile ones there. Just something else to be a hazard for breaking eggs or even rotting. They will not know the eggs are different. A really broody hen doesn't even have to have any kind of eggs under her, she will sit anyway.

Here are a couple oflinks in case you want to read further.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/693407/broody-bird-what-to-do#post_9400530 (post #5)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853934/three-broody-hens#post_12789421 (post #4)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/broody-hens (article)

Good luck!

 

[fiset94]

Thank you for the info- but I am extremely sad to report that when I went out to check on the two girls today I found them missing. They were savagly attacked by a racoon and their bodies dragged to the roof of the barn. Ripped apart and feathers everywhere. After having a good cry we set up shop to catch him. Sure enough he returned and took another one of our hens! My husband chased him up a tree- it is midnight right now and he is still out there steaming mad trying to get that coon out of the tree above the barn.