Broody hens sharing the same nesting box What now

[sandy sea]

I have seven nesting boxes, but only three are used. I now have three maybe four broody hens not sure. Trying to watch and see who is really broody. They all have taken over the three boxes and I think two may be sitting on the same nest. They have been sitting for a few days. The other hens keep laying new eggs beside the broody hens. I was gone most of the day yesterday and come back to one of the nest boxes with about 16 eggs in it. How many eggs should each hen be able to sit on? If I have two broody hens on just one nest do I let them sit together? I was reading that I should move the nests and broodys at night is that correct?

 

[debilorrah]

You are lucky that three are getting used. I have 16 layers and they all share two boxes. I have found 11 eggs in one box before. It is normal for them. Just one more quirky thing that makes them so special.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

I would say move the broody hens now
it really won't work as they need be in seperate cages or pens so they will tend the chicks
they will fight over the chicks and may cause killing some chicks
I would think you need to gather eggs more often
other wise you eally don't know what eggs are fresh
Do you have rooster with them?