Broody hens taking turns

[inquisitivebird]

I came back from holiday to two hens sitting. One grey hen, and one white hen. Two days ago i checked in on them and my black hen was sitting on the white hen's eggs and the white hen was kind of still in the box sitting. At first I thought the black one was just laying an egg since the black hen was on the roost for bed and the white hen was on her eggs. Then yesterday I went to check on them and the black one was sitting on the grey hens eggs, and the grey hen was sitting on the white hens eggs and the white one was on the roost all day long, then at night they all switched back again to the original places! Same thing happened today, but only the bkack and white hen switched, and i was even there this evening to watch them change shifts. I am worried that i will losesome chicks if they dont get serious about staying on a nest. Do hens sometimes share a nest like this? Its so bizarre!

 

[inquisitivebird]

Bump

 

[bellmare]

I came across this thread just now looking for answers because my hens are doing something really similar. Taking turns but someone is always on the nest. So interesting!

 

[gimmie birdies]

I had 2 hens hatch out 6 chicks. They didn't fight over them and the chicks would take turns cuddling moms.

 

[inquisitivebird]

I just thought i would update. I ended up with the three hens hatching 16 eggs over about 4 days. I put all three hens together in one pen with the babies. The black hen started attacking the other two, so I separated her. I decided not to let her raise any babies because she's a bit psycho and i dont want the chicks to learn that. She's afraid of me, even though the rest of my hens arent. The grey and white hen ate sharing the babies quite well, except occasionally the gray one will peck at the white one. I don't think it will be a problem though. The chicks run back and forth between hens annd they all snuggle up together at night.