How should I separate broody hens

[tlynnus]

So 2 of my 26 hens are currently broody. They are both reliable mothers, they have each hatched 2 clutches of eggs each year for the past three years. The problem that I have is that I think that I have an egg eater in the flock. I gave them each 3 eggs last week and within 3 days they were both missing an egg. I watched and one of the other hens approached the nesting box and pecked one of the mom‘s head and then pecked at the straw in the box. The moms are not at the bottom of the pecking order as far as I can see. They have successfully raised many chicks without any problems. I think I need to figure out a way to separate them from the other chickens. I have 2 coops (accommodates 16 chickens each) inside of a metal roof run that is 30 ft x 20 ft. The run door is open during daylight hours so they can free range. How would you solve this problem?

 

[M-H-Fielding]

Are they brooding inside of nesting boxes? If so, you can put some sort of door on the box.

 

[M-H-Fielding]

I sometimes just stretch just enough chicken wire over the nesting boxes so no chickens can get in or out, but enough that I can get my hand inside.

 

[Alaskan]

gave them each 3 eggs last week and within 3 days they were both missing an egg

That means you have a hen that will beat up on the broodies, specifically to grab an egg an eat it?.?

If that is the case, I would find and segregate, (or cull, as in eat), the hen that is egg eating.

You do not want that one egg eater to teach the rest of the flock to egg eat.

Also, since the egg eater is not put in place by the broodies, there is a high risk that she will also try to eat the chicks.

Other options:

if the 2 broodies get along, you could decide to set up the 2 broodies together in a large dog crate inside one of your pens.

Or, they could each have their own dog crate.