Multiple Broodies

[BLACKCATFARM]

I have 3 broody hens. I was thinking about giving each broody some chicks to raise. Has anyone done this with multiple broodies? If so, do the chicks get to interact with each other, do they mix up 'moms'? Any tips would be appreciated. Happy cluckin'!

 

[Naser]

You have to keep them separate until the chicks are 3 days old then you can mix them I just have done that and the chicks have two mothers.

 

[BLACKCATFARM]

Do the mothers fight over the chicks?

 

[50-45-1]

Sometimes, it totaly depends on the temperment and tolerance of your particular hens. I have had hens co-brood, hatch and raise chicks.
A couple other hens were determined to kill each other every time they saw each other. I had to cage one hen and her brood that time.

 

[BLACKCATFARM]

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm going to wait toward the end of August and see how many broody hens I still have. All 3 are Cuckoo Marans. Two are pretty bossy and the third one is very sweet.

 

[Naser]

Do the mothers fight over the chicks?

No they don't in my experience simply because the chicks decide where to go, sometimes there is some pushing for places but nothing big, but for eggs they fight and steel them then they leave one nest and fight for the other and break the eggs.
You end up with one nest deserted and the other nest eggs broken.

 

[BLACKCATFARM]

Thanks for some first hand experience! I'll be starting with day old chicks, so no worries about the eggs. I'll post after I get some chicks at the end of August and let everyone know how it goes!

 

[Naser]

When you get the chicks separate the hens and divide the chicks between them and leave them separated for 3 days so the chicks know their mother, then you can put them together

 

[BLACKCATFARM]

Thank you for your additional advice. I will definitely do that if all 3 hens are still broody when I pick up chicks.