Hens going broody on the same nest? Is this normal??

[1 Critter Camp]

I have a hen that became broody and then I sold the rooster (I had enough white silkies), so that only left two hens. One that was broody (the grey sizzle) and the one that wasn't (splash silkie). Since then, the splash has decided to help out... they sit on the nest together. I'm thinking it is because there are only two of them right now and so she is lonely. It's sweet, though!

 

[Michael OShay]

It happens sometimes and sometimes it works out okay, but usually it is not a good idea to let two broody hens share the same nest because there is too much competition for the eggs, even if it does not appear that way to you. When a broody hen sits on her eggs, she monitors them and keeps them at the same humidity and temperature and turns them as needed. If they've been sitting on the same clutch for several days, just let them go, but the next time this happens, I would immediately take one hen and separate her from the other in her own nest box. Make sure that it is dark and closed in so that she cannot escape. Put her in it at night and leave her in there, with a secure container of water, for the following day. If the weather is hot, make sure that the nest box is in a cool place. The next day you can partly open the nest box a couple of hours before the other hens go to roost. If she goes back to her old nest, wait till it is dark and then put her back on her nest. Do not leave the nest box too long because you don't want the eggs to get too cool. Then close her in the nest box again. Once you are sure she is going to stick to the new nest, leave the box partly open so she can come and go as she pleases.

 

[1 Critter Camp]

Thank you for telling me... I never thought of two of them together making the temp and humidity incorrect... I'll take care of it ASAP!
thank you

 

[Michael OShay]

You're welcome.

 

[1 Critter Camp]

I removed the splash ASAP although it is not happy about it. I had to put it with other silkies that he had not bonded with.
The sizzle is sitting on 5 eggs. I know a couple are fertile but I've been afraid to look.

 

[1 Critter Camp]

All of 5 them hatched!
Thanks for the advice.