The only time I ever interact with broodies, and this actually happened today, is when they stay on the nest too long. As I said, I'm totally hands off, so that means I don't mark eggs and check to see if any more are laid. There are always more eggs laid, and silkies will tag team a nest, two broody birds in one nest. When the first chicks hatch, the hens are too afraid the other hen will steal the chicks, so sometimes they won't leave the nest. I've had 2 hens hatching chicks since Sunday. This morning they were both still on the nest with 8 babies under them, 2 obviously hatched recently. I took one hen down, gave her the six oldest chicks, and left the other on the nest with the 2 wet ones. I will give her another day or 2 to see if she gets any more, then if she hasn't gotten off on her own I will take her and the chicks down and remove any remaining eggs. Like I said, this is only how I do it, and some people would probably cringe to read it, but it works for me. When the hatch is complete, both mommies will raise the chicks together, taking turns teaching them how to be chickens and covering them when they are cold. That's what the pic I posted was. Those 2 mommies came off the nest together with all the chicks in AprilAwww what a good mama! And I think that line of thinking is wise, to let her decide
I'm learning so much every day!
