Broody Hens: Need Advice

[Cinderblock]

So, I have 4 silky/Cochin bantam mixes who all went Broody. They are a year old. They share a 4 x 6 coop with three laying boxes that they sleep in. I decided to give them some fertilized eggs that I got from a neighbor, but realize that I should’ve done things differently. I have another coop with 18 pullets that I got in March (both the new coop and the pullets). The broody hens are all sharing the eggs and will change nests and eggs after they go out to eat and drink. My concern is that with 4 of them egg hopping there is probably a good chance that they might hurt the chicks. I don’t have a separate brooder house and this is where the hens live. What should I do? They have never been mothers so I don’t know how they will be. They aren’t very nice to the younger pullets, but I’m wondering if I should move two of them in there and take them off of the eggs. They won’t like it, so it’s not an easy option, but doable. I have about 6 fertile eggs after candling. Is it safe to have two mothers together or should I just keep one in there? Today is day 11.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

It depends totally on your mothers, but if they are copesthetically getting along now, without shoving eggs into the cold or trampling them, just swapping nests but keeping eggs nicely warm, chances are they'll do just fine with the babes.

I have had some hens that just fight, with one dominant hen pushing the other off, trampling eggs or shoving them out in the tussle, but then I now have hens who will totally co brood (So does @fisherlady ). Usually it is those that have been raised together, often sisters, who want to brood together.

One momma will stay in the coop tending babes while the other goes out and dust bathes, checks her manicure, catches up on all the coop gossip, then returns to the coop to check babes. They switch. Babes run equally to either mother. None are neglected or harmed.

Likely your Silkies don't like your pullets as they are broody minded and view the pullets as an intrusion. Do NOT have the young pullets in with the broodies. The young pullets should be totally out.

So it may very well be worth a try. Just be aware that if tussles or dominance begins, you may have to separate a bit or set up barriers during lock down (day 18 to 21)...but I have a suspicion it could go well. Likely very well.

Silkie/Cochin bantam mixes are more chill than Silkies and more broody than bantam Cochins. Nice broody mix.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[Cinderblock]

Thank you so much for your very helpful reply!

It depends totally on your mothers, but if they are copesthetically getting along now, without shoving eggs into the cold or trampling them, just swapping nests but keeping eggs nicely warm, chances are they'll do just fine with the babes.

I have had some hens that just fight, with one dominant hen pushing the other off, trampling eggs or shoving them out in the tussle, but then I now have hens who will totally co brood (So does @fisherlady ). Usually it is those that have been raised together, often sisters, who want to brood together.

One momma will stay in the coop tending babes while the other goes out and dust bathes, checks her manicure, catches up on all the coop gossip, then returns to the coop to check babes. They switch. Babes run equally to either mother. None are neglected or harmed.

Likely your Silkies don't like your pullets as they are broody minded and view the pullets as an intrusion. Do NOT have the young pullets in with the broodies. The young pullets should be totally out.

So it may very well be worth a try. Just be aware that if tussles or dominance begins, you may have to separate a bit or set up barriers during lock down (day 18 to 21)...but I have a suspicion it could go well. Likely very well.

Silkie/Cochin bantam mixes are more chill than Silkies and more broody than bantam Cochins. Nice broody mix.

My thoughts.
LofMc

 

[centrarchid]

Work to make so nesting hens are discrete in not swapping nest sites. That may require penning. For me, greatest risk not to eggs, rather chicks that hatch. Hen cycles and egg incubation cycles may not be aligned increasing odds hens will reject chicks that hatch too early in a hen's broody cycle.

 

[Cinderblock]

They ended up hatching 2 and I bought five chicks and snuck them in there yesterday. So far so good.

It depends totally on your mothers, but if they are copesthetically getting along now, without shoving eggs into the cold or trampling them, just swapping nests but keeping eggs nicely warm, chances are they'll do just fine with the babes.

I have had some hens that just fight, with one dominant hen pushing the other off, trampling eggs or shoving them out in the tussle, but then I now have hens who will totally co brood (So does @fisherlady ). Usually it is those that have been raised together, often sisters, who want to brood together.

One momma will stay in the coop tending babes while the other goes out and dust bathes, checks her manicure, catches up on all the coop gossip, then returns to the coop to check babes. They switch. Babes run equally to either mother. None are neglected or harmed.

Likely your Silkies don't like your pullets as they are broody minded and view the pullets as an intrusion. Do NOT have the young pullets in with the broodies. The young pullets should be totally out.

So it may very well be worth a try. Just be aware that if tussles or dominance begins, you may have to separate a bit or set up barriers during lock down (day 18 to 21)...but I have a suspicion it could go well. Likely very well.

Silkie/Cochin bantam mixes are more chill than Silkies and more broody than bantam Cochins. Nice broody mix.

My thoughts.
LofMc