Normal broody behavior?

[Smileybans]

I know stealing eggs is normal but is stealing chicks normal? If so what can I do about it? All I can think of is separate them but this is really my only available broody coop.

In case you can’t see her under this big fluff cochin mix is a silkie. Her butt is sticking out near the Cochins grey tail feathers. After her one, out of six, chick hatched then died she started trying to steal her brood mates chicks.

After I took this picture I removed the silkie. The Cochin had a few eggs that were ready to hatch so I put them under the silkie. One has hatched so far but the silkie still wants all the babies. It makes the Cochin mad and I think confuses her. If the silkie has all the babies the Cochin will just sit on top of all of them. Including the two remaining eggs. Suggestions? Anything I can do within this broody coop?

 

[JedJackson]

The first thing to be concerned about is the eggs. Hens with chicks generally abandon the nest after a day or two, and any unhatched eggs will be left behind. You should candle the eggs to make sure the chicks inside are still alive. If not, throw them out. If they are alive, and the hens will still sit on the eggs, then they may hatch. Or, if you have an incubator, you can finish the hatch in there.

Otherwise, I think your problem is that the broody coop is simply too small for two hens and their babies. Often broody hens will share chicks, but in a small space they may fight or trample the babies. I think removing one of the hens is going to be necessary here for the well being of all.

 

[Smileybans]

The first thing to be concerned about is the eggs. Hens with chicks generally abandon the nest after a day or two, and any unhatched eggs will be left behind. You should candle the eggs to make sure the chicks inside are still alive. If not, throw them out. If they are alive, and the hens will still sit on the eggs, then they may hatch. Or, if you have an incubator, you can finish the hatch in there.

Otherwise, I think your problem is that the broody coop is simply too small for two hens and their babies. Often broody hens will share chicks, but in a small space they may fight or trample the babies. I think removing one of the hens is going to be necessary here for the well being of all.

I candles the eggs and they are still alive. I’ve brooded hens before in this coop, two silkies, with no problems so I thought it would be okay this time. Can I move the other hen, the silkie is the one I would move, to anything?

 

[JedJackson]

I candles the eggs and they are still alive. I’ve brooded hens before in this coop, two silkies, with no problems so I thought it would be okay this time. Can I move the other hen, the silkie is the one I would move, to anything?

First you have to make provisions for the remaining eggs. Make sure one of the hens will sit on them, whether it's in the broody coop or somewhere else. Or move them to an incubator.

Once they are hatched, then make arrangements. It's possible by then the hens will have learned to respect each other's space, but if not, move the Silkie back to the flock and let the Cochin raise the babies. The Silkie won't be happy but I think they will all be better off. It just seems like those two hens don't want to share the babies if one is sitting on top of the other. That is not good.

 

[Mrs. K]

You are going to wind up with an egg broke. Remove one of the birds. If the one is still broody - do a broody break. But there is no reason for them both to be in there.

Mrs k

 

[Smileybans]

First you have to make provisions for the remaining eggs. Make sure one of the hens will sit on them, whether it's in the broody coop or somewhere else. Or move them to an incubator.

Once they are hatched, then make arrangements. It's possible by then the hens will have learned to respect each other's space, but if not, move the Silkie back to the flock and let the Cochin raise the babies. The Silkie won't be happy but I think they will all be better off. It just seems like those two hens don't want to share the babies if one is sitting on top of the other. That is not good.

The Cochin seems happy sitting on the eggs. Sometimes the silkie is but I think she just wants the babies. So far every time I’ve checked on them today they’ve been separate. That doesn’t mean they are all the time though. Removing the silkie might be my best bet.

 

[Smileybans]

So I preliminarily removed the silkie, just walled her off but still visible, to see what Cochin would do. She went right for the babies and left the eggs. Leaving the silkie for now to care for the babies while the other two eggs hatch is what I’ll do. Hopefully, like JedJackson said, by then they’ll have it all figured out and the two new chicks can be the Cochins.

 

[JedJackson]

So I preliminarily removed the silkie, just walled her off but still visible, to see what Cochin would do. She went right for the babies and left the eggs. Leaving the silkie for now to care for the babies while the other two eggs hatch is what I’ll do. Hopefully, like JedJackson said, by then they’ll have it all figured out and the two new chicks can be the Cochins.

I hope it works out.

 

[Smileybans]

I made it just in time to cut this baby out of the silkies fur. It’s still breathing but is there anything I should/ can be doing to help it?

I am going to cut the silkies fur more so this doesn’t happen again. It was wrapped around his neck.

 

[3KillerBs]

I made it just in time to cut this baby out of the silkies fur. It’s still breathing but is there anything I should/ can be doing to help it? View attachment 2950479
I am going to cut the silkies fur more so this doesn’t happen again. It was wrapped around his neck.

I'm no expert here, but maybe dripping some sugar water into it's beak for energy? Very carefully, so as not to choke it.