hen pile

[AaronandAlice]

so, these hens are slowly copying one another. Ones been broody appx 11-12 days, chicken 2 climbed in and wouldnt get out about five days ago, and today we have a hen pile. When i tried to shoo the top one she just pecked the crap out of my hand and squawked at me. Theyre really rude right now- what is going to happen if babies hatch? Will they squish them? Do i need to take the babies right away or let them do their thing?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Remove all but one ASAP. You will have a horrible mess otherwise with hens attacking chicks. Best to always separate out a broody, or be ready to separate her out as the chicks hatch. Those extra hens should be put in a wire bottom crate slightly elevated off the ground to break them of their broodiness.

 

[RWise]

Agreed! Not to mention they may break all of the eggs, make a real mess in the nest, and what eggs do not get broken wont hatch because of the mess all over them.
I like to keep my broodies in private quarters so the other hens cannot use/touch her nest.

 

[aart]

Remove all but one ASAP. You will have a horrible mess otherwise with hens attacking chicks. Best to always separate out a broody, or be ready to separate her out as the chicks hatch. Those extra hens should be put in a wire bottom crate slightly elevated off the ground to break them of their broodiness.

Ditto Dat^^^


....but what a great pic!

 

[ChickNanny13]

2x Great Pic