I hope this is the right section. I have two broody hens. One is sitting on eggs inside the coop, in the nest box. The other is on eggs outside the coop behind a bale of straw and a board, up against my house. I know I have to seperate them from the other chickens- but I really dont have anywhere to do that. If I can somehow fence off part of the yard, can I put the two broodies together once their eggs hatch?
Don't know why you couldn't. But needing to seperate them depends on your chickens, my mama hens always protected the chicks just fine. It depends on your set up, how much room they have and your hens dispositions. We made a circular 'pen' out of large boxwire fencing that the chicks could get into but the hens couldn't, so they had access to food. As long as mom's are good, they'll protect them. (started with mom IN the mini pen at first, then took her out so. The hens were all jelous of the chick starter in there, but....) I'm curious what others will say about this, I'm guessing I haven't always done things 'right' heheh. [edit] HOLY KAMOLE!! I just saw you're in Michigan!!! Is the hen outside under 2 foot of snow? Your location changes things a bit!!
yep- one is in there, in the coop (my coop is only 6' X3') in the nest box. The other dumb one, the Silkie, is behind the board,against my house, which has two foot of snow around it. I just went out there and shoveled for the sissy hens that were all crammed onto their porch- telling off the snow. I wedged an ear of corn behind the board for Ashley, the broody Silkie. I threw another one in the nestbox for the Turken...and gave three to my non-broodies. It is comical that today I left the gate to their yard, open. And, it is the first time not one chicken was interested in going out into my backyard. heh heh. They think there is some mistake- they are supposed to be southern chickens.
