Hens competing for nest

[vicalaska]

I have had a small hen brooding 9 eggs, then two weeks later a larger hen decided she wanted to "join in".
They are currently sharing the nest with one moving onto the main nest when the other leaves to feed, but now there is a smaller secondary nest which the displaced hen will then brood. At first they were competing - see photo, but now have reached a compromise!
My question is, when the original eggs start to hatch ( should be about four days from now ) will the larger, later hen continue to brood the eggs she has since laid and leave the original hen to raise the older eggs, or will they both start raising the hatchlings?
If so I will build an incubator to take the later eggs - any links to particular posts re: homemade incubators appreciated!

Thanks all.

 

[50-45-1]

Do you have a secondary spot to move first broody when she hatches the first chicks?

 

[vicalaska]

I could make one. I could even try moving one of the hen's eggs now, but I don't know which eggs are which, Though I did manage to mark most of the first batch.
How far away should it be?

Thank you!

 

[birdlover2]

I have had a small hen brooding 9 eggs, then two weeks later a larger hen decided she wanted to "join in".
They are currently sharing the nest with one moving onto the main nest when the other leaves to feed, but now there is a smaller secondary nest which the displaced hen will then brood. At first they were competing - see photo, but now have reached a compromise!
My question is, when the original eggs start to hatch ( should be about four days from now ) will the larger, later hen continue to brood the eggs she has since laid and leave the original hen to raise the older eggs, or will they both start raising the hatchlings?
If so I will build an incubator to take the later eggs - any links to particular posts re: homemade incubators appreciated!

Thanks all.View attachment 2215281

I would wait and see how it works out. If the one hen decides to take the first chicks maybe the other will decide to raise the latter chicks. IDK, but if they both abandon the latter eggs, you should definately incubate them. I don't know if they both will abandon the other eggs in order to fight over the first chicks, but if there's no fight over them then I assume one will want to continue laying on the other eggs in order to hatch them and have their own chicks.

 

[vicalaska]

Excellent. Thanks so much.

 

[birdlover2]

Excellent. Thanks so much.

(I wasn't that big of a help, lol, but no problem )

 

[birdlover2]

I have had a small hen brooding 9 eggs, then two weeks later a larger hen decided she wanted to "join in".
They are currently sharing the nest with one moving onto the main nest when the other leaves to feed, but now there is a smaller secondary nest which the displaced hen will then brood. At first they were competing - see photo, but now have reached a compromise!
My question is, when the original eggs start to hatch ( should be about four days from now ) will the larger, later hen continue to brood the eggs she has since laid and leave the original hen to raise the older eggs, or will they both start raising the hatchlings?
If so I will build an incubator to take the later eggs - any links to particular posts re: homemade incubators appreciated!

Thanks all.View attachment 2215281

Your hens are gorgeous by the way!

 

[AllenK RGV]

Just my experience but when I have had multiple broodies sharing a clutch once hatchout occurs all you get are dead chicks as they will fight over them. Lesson learned here. If you can identify the eggs from the two separate clutches I would do so and separate those two hens(if you want chicks).

 

[vicalaska]

Thank you for that advice. I will be able to do so reasonably easily as the nest is in a dog crate within the coop. I will just wait till mama #2 goes to feed and try and get the later eggs out for her. I would be devastated to think the chicks would be killed.

 

[vicalaska]

Just my experience but when I have had multiple broodies sharing a clutch once hatchout occurs all you get are dead chicks as they will fight over them. Lesson learned here. If you can identify the eggs from the two separate clutches I would do so and separate those two hens(if you want chicks).

Thanks again for your advice.
I waited till Mama #2 got off to feed, crawled into the dog crate ( which I have in there for when I need to isolate a hen for whatever reason ) took the unmarked eggs out and pushed the marked original eggs under the original mama, closing the crate behind me with water and food in there.
I made a little nest with the newer eggs ( only three ) and waited for Mama #2 to accept them. It took a while, perhaps an hour or two, but she pulled them to her in a nesting spot of her own choosing.
Success all round, so once again, many thanks for your chicken wisdom.
No dead chicks for me I sincerely hope.

I have only used this forum a few times, when I have a problem, and it always proves invaluable.

Cheers to all!