I had 6 hens go broody.
This was my first experience so I let them all brood......at different intervals. So....they all hatched at different times. I have two areas where I can keep the broodies with their chicks for a while. I had the first set that hatched in the small coop. When the second set came I moved the first set to the bigger area with the hen and let the new hen and babies have the smaller coop.
Now.....the third has hatched so I tried the 2 broodies in with all of their chicks in the big coop BUT they pecked on the others chicks and I was afraid they would kill them so I took the hens out and left all of the chicks together in the big coop. They are doing just fine, but the broodies are having a FIT!! They are staying outside and clucking all day long. I feel sooooooo bad for them but they each had almost 2 full weeks with their babies and the babies are doing fine!! They have been seperated for 2 full days now, and not a sign of them giving up!!!
They must be REALLY determined broodies!
How long do you think it will take for them to realize that the chicks are fine and go back to their "normal" hen behavior?

Now.....the third has hatched so I tried the 2 broodies in with all of their chicks in the big coop BUT they pecked on the others chicks and I was afraid they would kill them so I took the hens out and left all of the chicks together in the big coop. They are doing just fine, but the broodies are having a FIT!! They are staying outside and clucking all day long. I feel sooooooo bad for them but they each had almost 2 full weeks with their babies and the babies are doing fine!! They have been seperated for 2 full days now, and not a sign of them giving up!!!


How long do you think it will take for them to realize that the chicks are fine and go back to their "normal" hen behavior?