Can I put two hens in one broody jail?

[lilmillefleur]

Just wondering if I could do my hens all at once or only one at a time
thanks!

 

[Penny spender]

What are you trying to accomplish? A little more information might help...

 

[lilmillefleur]

I'm trying to break them. I have 4 chickens, three are broody. I want my lonely one to have her friends back lol

 

[Penny spender]

Ah! Yes, I would assume so then. As long as they have nothing to nest. 2 together should be fine...just be sure to collect the eggs right away.

 

[lilmillefleur]

Thanks @Penny spender . Anyone else have an opinion on this?

 

[Latestarter]

Some brooding mamas become very territorial and protective of their space. You can give it a try and be vigilant to see what happens. If they are truly brooding, they should have stopped laying. When they re-start, they should be about done with the broody spell. Some folks wait for ages to get a broody hen and here you have 75% of your flock go broody... Is there no justice? Good luck!

 

[ronott1]

Some brooding mamas become very territorial and protective of their space. You can give it a try and be vigilant to see what happens. If they are truly brooding, they should have stopped laying. When they re-start, they should be about done with the broody spell. Some folks wait for ages to get a broody hen and here you have 75% of your flock go broody... Is there no justice? Good luck!

Ironic isn't it?

 

[lilmillefleur]

Yep. We get an average of zero eggs per week.
I'm embarrassing myself eating store bought eggs!
Two of our hens are brooding together and one is in her own box. Can we do two and one?

 

[lilmillefleur]

We brought this upon ourselves though. Two of the silkies are at least 8 years old. The other two hens are about 4-5. I don't expect much from them anyway but it's never been this bad!
We were trying to downsize our flock at one point. First our parents were like "keep the layers, we need eggs" but then it somehow turned into "get rid of all of our productive chickens and keep the most docile bantams"
Their plan is backfiring now. It's one of the reasons why we got new chicks.
And of course, none of them are productive breeds

 

[Latestarter]

I would say "Do what you can and need to do to break them". If that's three separate or two and one, or an extra long breaker box for all three... You'll just have to wing it and see how it goes. Hope you'll let us know what you do and how it works for you. Could benefit others down the road!

IMHO 2 in the same box may allow them to keep their body temps up to broody level easier by shared warmth, making breaking them more difficult and take longer. Were it me, I think I'd take the two that are together and separate them into 2 breaker boxes and leave the single till after they are done. (Or do a 3rd box...)

Wow, sounds like some poor forethought on those decisions Sorry... And of course you have older hens of the naturally broody type... Who are pretty much past laying age anyways...