haha chickenalities, I'm going to have to use that onelols FV, you and I both wish! I have to be honest, I was actually scratching my head when I read your post
I have not had two broodies and simultaneous hatches; I think that would severely do my head in!
With Cilla's first hatch, I left her in the 'community coop' which besides some extra egg donations from Dusty, worked out OK, that is until the chicks hatched, then the fun began and we had to rush out and buy a coop and separate her and the bubbies. On the second hatch, we were prepared and she was separated when given the fertile eggs. Definitely the way to go with my flock.
Obviously, this is just my humble opinion and based on experiences at Bambrook Bantams, but, if it was me, I would try and give them a separate, fenced off area where they can still see the rest of the flock, but also have their own little area where they can explore with mum in peace. I know others have different ideas. It really depends on your set up and your chickenalities
Before the first hatch, we had one coop which everyone slept in. Then, as mentioned, when the chicks hatched, we had two coops but, of course, the chicks hatched in the second coop learnt that that was their bedroom, so now I have two girls sleeping in one coop and three sleeping in the other. So, if I do separate for a broody, someone is going to have to change their sleeping arrangements. Either that or we just add a new coop every time someone becomes broody and have chickens sleeping in multiple apartments!
We are seriously considering a nursery which is solely for hatching purposes and then, when grown up, whoever is staying has to adjust to new sleeping arrangements and the nursery then gets shut down til next time.
Tee hee, here I am talking about "next time"; this from the person who was "not doing any more hatches", again, hopeless! lol
I guess, like everything with chickens, it will be a learning experience. I would like to try and keep the mamas in with the flock. I really enjoy the idea of the chicks growing up with the flock, rather than having to go through a transitional period once they're older. I usually brood them inside, then move them to a grow out pen separated by fencing for 2 weeks, then combine during free range with separate sleeping houses, then combine houses.
actually I have ~35 chicks in our grow-out area right now which are going to be for meat but that only complicates things, just less housing available.. another reason to keep them in the flock. I also don't want the mamas to get 'forgotten' in the pecking order, since they're at the top now, I hope by leaving them in that they keep the respect they have right now.
and last reason... I will probably put these chicks the mamas hatch up for sale, once they are old enough. I wouldn't want to rip them away from her until they are ready. But I'm already growing out about 50 chicks, I didn't really plan for another 10-12 x2 broodies! I will keep the javas though, there are 4 of those eggs left.
our nights are getting to about 50F. not bad, really. I am thinking that I will separate a section of the run for the mamas and their chicks with fencing, leaving their cat carrier nests there during the nights. our coop is insulated, so it is always the warmest spot at night, and coolest spot during the day. but the summer weather is to my advantage, and if MN's hen is staying out all night, I think mine would be alright too. this would just be for the first 1 week? or so until they are a little more steady on their feet. I would not want to prevent them from free ranging for too long! OMG the idea of the littlest baby chicks free ranging week 1 is just too much to handle!
edit: PS - are Marans known for being broody? so crazy to me that both are broody at once. no one else better go broody. I had to buy eggs yesterday!
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