Hen babysitting broodys eggs?

[Claire_]

When I went to check on my broody hen this morning I found not her but another hen sitting on the eggs, I thought she was just laying so I pulled her off and put the broody back on, broody just left and the hen that has taken over broodys nest is now puffing up and biting and when I even look at the eggs, I don't understand what is happening and I'm very upset

 

[Claire_]

Ok..
Now I'm more confused broody is making mother hen noises and waiting outside the nesting box...is it really possible for her to just let another hen sit on her eggs?

 

[azygous]

This is not at all uncommon. The second hen has gone broody, and she is merely taking advantage of a nest full of eggs. It's as logical to her as the number "two" following the number "one".

This does complicate things. I'd say there is a 30% chance of things working out splendidly, that the two hens will co-incubate the eggs and co-parent the chicks when they hatch. Those are not the best odds, though.

Things are more likely to take a disruptive turn, and eggs will end up getting broken, and if any survive, chicks may be fought over and injured. It's best to deal with this matter now in a decisive way.

How important is it to have two broody hens incubating two nests full of eggs? Are you in the process of seriously breeding and expanding your flock? Or is this nest full of eggs and the broody sitting on them something that has happened all on its own without much thought to it on your part? It's time to make a decision.

If you want two broodies, make two nests. They ideally should be protected from other hens who are laying daily eggs, as this activity can result in damaged eggs and dead embryos.

If you do not want any new chicks or if you only want the current eggs that are being incubated to come to full term, then break the second broody. If you do not know how to do that, we can instruct you.

 

[Claire_]

This is not at all uncommon. The second hen has gone broody, and she is merely taking advantage of a nest full of eggs. It's as logical to her as the number "two" following the number "one".

This does complicate things. I'd say there is a 30% chance of things working out splendidly, that the two hens will co-incubate the eggs and co-parent the chicks when they hatch. Those are not the best odds, though.

Things are more likely to take a disruptive turn, and eggs will end up getting broken, and if any survive, chicks may be fought over and injured. It's best to deal with this matter now in a decisive way.

How important is it to have two broody hens incubating two nests full of eggs? Are you in the process of seriously breeding and expanding your flock? Or is this nest full of eggs and the broody sitting on them something that has happened all on its own without much thought to it on your part? It's time to make a decision.

If you want two broodies, make two nests. They ideally should be protected from other hens who are laying daily eggs, as this activity can result in damaged eggs and dead embryos.

If you do not want any new chicks or if you only want the current eggs that are being incubated to come to full term, then break the second broody. If you do not know how to do that, we can instruct you.

I have a rooster and when first hen went broody I was very happy to give her 9 eggs because yes, I am expanding my flock, I am planning on letting her hatch them and so far it's going great I can already see veins, if I make a second nest how can I guarantee that broody 2 will sit on that one and not try to take over broody 1s nest again?

 

[fluffycrow]

We are working with live animals here, so there really are no guarantees, most likely though, if you give the second broody a nest worth incubating, and further away from the other broody, it will work. That being said, I'd you don't want two broodies, you can always break one

 

[azygous]

Segregate the two nests in some way. Or you will just need to take your chances they will work it out on their own. But then, that wouldn't really be managing your flock. It would be leaving things up to chance as it is done among wild birds.

Managing a flock and expanding it requires thought, planning and careful management.

 

[Claire_]

Segregate the two nests in some way. Or you will just need to take your chances they will work it out on their own. But then, that wouldn't really be managing your flock. It would be leaving things up to chance as it is done among wild birds.

Managing a flock and expanding it requires thought, planning and careful management.

Ok, I have gathered some eggs together and broody is definitely thinking about it, she's in the coop clucking about I'm going to see what happens

 

[Claire_]

Segregate the two nests in some way. Or you will just need to take your chances they will work it out on their own. But then, that wouldn't really be managing your flock. It would be leaving things up to chance as it is done among wild birds.

Managing a flock and expanding it requires thought, planning and careful management.

Ok I now have them both sitting on different nests

 

[Tram]

For what it's worth, last year I had three hens go broody. I too had co parenting couple of hens. I always chalked it up to nature doing its business. I mean the eggs were warm and secure. Mother was able to take an extended break. Life was good.

After a couple weeks, the substitute began sitting on her own eggs. So nature worked out.

p.s. This was my first time with broody hens.

 

[Blyth-new chick mom]

I also have this issue. For the past two weeks I’ve only seen my buff Orpington sitting on two different nests that have a mixture of three different breeds of eggs. She’s just been going between both nesting boxes taking turns sitting and keeping both nests warm. One has 9 eggs and the other 14. The other day I noticed my buff mama jumped out to eat and what not and while she was out one of my aericaunas sitting on one of the nests. And when I tried to move her to check the eggs she freaked out on me. So I have a couple questions since this is my first time hatching eggs. I feel like it’s about time to move the eggs. I wanted to make a nest in a big tote on the floor of my coop so when they hatch mama could take care of them in her own space that isn’t raised so high off the floor like the box she’s in now. Should I make two totes then for both hens? I really don’t know what to do. This is all new to me. For the record, none of my hens are aggressive I just want the mama and chicks to have privacy and be safe from falling. Please help me with any advice.