My broody is trying to hatch another broody

[dirtylittlefly]

Soo..... I have 3 hens and they've been laying really well, 3 eggs a day for the past week. We have 2 nesting boxes but they always fight over the same one and will sit on top of each other while laying eggs. Within 24 hours 2 hens both became broody and hormone crazed, which to me is surprising enough. The really weird thing is they both insist on laying inside the same nesting box, Tito on bottom and Isabel on top.

Pretty bird is also continuing to lay eggs in the same nesting box, I assume while the other two are also in there being weirdos. Tomorrow I will see if I can capture pics of the apparent clown car that is the nesting box.

Crazy chickens.

 

[sumi]

I had to read the thread title twice and then check the thread to make sure I read it correctly

Chickens, especially hormonal broody chickens are something else, aren't they? Are you going to try and them hatch some chicks for you? If so you are going to have to get them each their own box, or you are going to have a big mess.

 

[centrarchid]

Remove, confine and break one hen of her broodiness. Make so hen still laying cannot access remaining hen brooding in preferred nest for at least a couple days. Try placing fake eggs in another nest to promote hen in lay to use alternative nest.

What is going on is you have at least two hens trying to cuckold the other two but most have broody switches that are too sensitive to pull it off.

 

[dirtylittlefly]

Well I isolated the 2 broody in a cage over gravel for 2 days. They're back to it already. I would have left them in longer but my neighbor told me yesterday she saw something trying to get my chickens the other day. She didn't actually see what it was but the chickens were cowering in the corner. Maybe just a cat? Whatever it was my neighbor likely scared it off.

We don't have too many issues with opposums and racoons where I live but I don't want to take any more chances. We may move the cage to the garage and place it over cardboard (It's a really cheap dinky thing with no bottom)

So do you suggest breaking the broodiess individually? My poor lone hen is awfully lonely out there without her buddies. She cries. ;(