intermittently broody Leghorn kicks silky off nest

[buckbeak]

and makes a mess of the eggs. We're on day 18 of this. She started by sitting beside the silkie to lay her egg, which gave the silkie lots of extras until I marked them. Then for a few days, she'd stay on for a day & overnight & then quit the next day. The silkie parks herself in the nestbox beside until the Leghorn quits & we move her over. It's like a chicken custody battle!

The eggs are covered with dried on goo. One was kicked out by someone and two are cracked, but they are both still sitting on those. I tried moving the eggs with the silkie, but she wouldn't sit on them when I tried, so I took her back out. Hopefully if some hatch I can move them all inside then.

Anyone ever have a broody Leghorn? Or partly broody? Her laying is off- I'm only getting an egg every other day from two Leghorns, who both layed consistently all winter long!!
Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Carol

 

[pips&peeps]

Make sure there is enough light in the coop or where they are laying.

If you don't want her to be broody, put her in a wire cage with food & water for a couple days and that should break her.

Just make sure she is not making the growling noise they make before you let her out.

 

[buckbeak]

I'm good with the broody silkie- she's a good mom. The Leghorn, not so much. I'd be ok with it if she would stick with it. I've never heard of a broody Leghorn before.
There's lots more natural light than there was a few months ago. Yeah spring!! I think her laying is off because of the broodiness?