Combining broody hens and clutches when hatched

[shiro5]

I’ve combined two broody hens and their clutches. They’ve been together 20 minutes. How long do I monitor? There has been no arguing and the chicks are happy to go from one hen to another.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I personally would be uneasy with the set up if these hens were not sisters or already co-brooding.

While some hens can co-mingle happily with their broods, most often fighting happens as tensions rise then mothers fend the other off and try to take all the chicks or try to chase off the others chicks. Chicks can get trampled in the process.

You don't have much room for maneuvering in this set up, unless there is a run attached that I'm not seeing, so unless you plan to sit and watch for the next 2 or 3 days, or even longer, I would hesitate. You could come back to a dead chick.

The good news is that all the chicks are colored the same which helps them integrate easier, and if the hens are very laid back, it is possible it will work. However, I would wish for bigger area for the two hens and chicks than what I'm seeing. The chicks are old enough to where the hens will want to get up and scratch with them. Close quarters is also dangerous as chicks literally get kicked and flung if they can't get away from momma's scratching lessons.

Congratulations on your successful hatches. Moms and babies look gorgeous.

LofMc

 

[shiro5]

They are sisters and were in the same coop, then they were in separate dog cages next to each other for a few days.

I’ve attached a photo of the full set up. If they get along combined I have a 10ft enclosed coop ready for them to go into Within a few days

How do you think I should proceed?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You have 3 day or older chicks then right? I'd put the broody dog cages in the 10 foot coop and let each hen have her own little nest if possible. They'll mingle much better in the run.

Trying to have both hens nest in the same location invites squished chicks simply because of the size of the hens and the size of the chicks in the closeness of the space. At most, I'd have one hen with her chicks in that size of crate with access to a run.

I have sadly had chicks crushed from "friendly fire" merely from two hens trying to sit in the same spot, not even fighting.

You've gotten over the dry out period, and if you are in the northern hemisphere, likely your days are getting warmer, so I'd simply have two separate nests for the moms and let them co-mingle during the day keeping an eye out periodically for typical stupid chick stuff.

LofMc

 

[shiro5]

Awh brilliant I will move them outside be happy for them to be outside!!

 

[shiro5]

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

You are welcome.
Raising chicks with hens is a very freeing experience. Momma does all the work, and the little chicks are very hardy.
I've had hatches in the dead of winter with momma teaching scratching lessons in the cold frozen dirt. The little chicks run around in their down jackets catching quick warm ups in momma's feather hutch.

There is NO need to keep them inside confined. They are ready to explore the world...which is why I stated watch out for stupid chick tricks. They go immediately into toddler stage after dry out.

LofMc

 

[shiro5]

Haha I’m so glad they can be outside! I think as they are my first I was ‘mothering’ both the chicks and momma

 

[shiro5]

They are now outside! I’ve left them to get adjusted, the dogs aren’t happy because they are locked in. There is a ramp to get to the coop from the run but I’ve put nest boxes on the floor of the run as I imagine the chicks I’ll struggles with the ramp?

Should I move them into the coop before dark and move them back out at dawn ?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Totally depends on your environment whether you need to lock them up in the coop at night.

I have raccoons and hawks, so I have to take careful precautions for my mommas and babies, however, if they can sleep safely in the dog crates in the coop run without fear of predator, that works really well.

Yes, babies this young often have trouble following up a coop run, especially if it is somewhat steep. That is why I generally just put a plastic air craft dog crate at the bottom and let momma take up residence inside the enclosed run but outside the coop....IF I don't have predator problems.

I now have a wooden broody hutch that I lock at night after a coon cleaned me out of some hens last winter. I let momma and babes out each morning and lock at night. I have a lower run but still that was a problem for babes until about 2 weeks of age. You then have a choice...pick babes up each night or arrange so that you don't have to do that by having a large enough coop to accommodate.

I've done it both ways. Now I have a large enough coop for the first 2 weeks of age, then let momma and babes out in an enclosed run from which momma takes them back into the broody coop at night. At which point I lock and bolt the door (lousy coons).

But all said...if it is safe in the run, then simply set the crates inside the run and let mommas go into the crates and night with free access to the run during the day. In time, both mommas (usually by 2 weeks as the babes are flying like sparrows then) will take them into the main coop...or you can encourage that by taking crates away.

LofMc