So last night I put my 2 broody silkie hens in their own broody coops. I went out to check an hour later and my White silkie was packing her door trying to get out. I took her eggs out and replaced them with fake ones and decided to check on her in the morning. This morning I go out and she is still packing and had ripped up her cage. I put her in with the little gray silkie, who she had sat with for a few days before I moved them into the broody coops. The white silkie went right into the nest box and huddled in with her and her eggs.
1. The gray silkie's eggs are a week older than the white silkie's eggs. Would it be possible for them to brood together, or once Gray's eggs hatch would White either steal her chicks or abandon her nest?
2. They are pretty squished in a nest box. Should I remove it and just let them sit on the ground?
3. Should I try to separate them out again? If so, should I do it soon or later when the chicks are about to hatch?
Thanks! (Pics included)
1. The gray silkie's eggs are a week older than the white silkie's eggs. Would it be possible for them to brood together, or once Gray's eggs hatch would White either steal her chicks or abandon her nest?
2. They are pretty squished in a nest box. Should I remove it and just let them sit on the ground?
3. Should I try to separate them out again? If so, should I do it soon or later when the chicks are about to hatch?
Thanks! (Pics included)