I have always been told NOT to leave them in the same coop because as the chicks hatch, the other non-broody hens will peck at them and usually kill them. Have you ever had this prob? I have an 8x8 coop with 6 nesting boxes, 12 hens and 1 rooster. I also have 1 very popular nesting box, but if I don't have to move my broodies I'll move them to the less used boxes, cause already the other hens just sit with the broody to hatch their eggs, (found out that our nesting boxes are big, I've found three hens in the same box at one time). But I'm kind of afraid to move her, cause as soon as I remove her from her eggs and she sees they'r gone, she leaves. She stays right by the nest squaking at me while I'm taking them, but then when they're gone, she leaves. I would want to move her, so I don't have to worry about the other hens trying to lay eggs after hers have hatched. Have you ever had these issue? First timmer here.
Most of the time the other members of the flock will not mess with other hens chicks, now i won't say they won't peck them or kill them I'm sure it's been done, but I had most of my broodies last year in the coop with their chicks and except for some pecking if chick strayed to close to another hen all went well. my coop is 8x10 and i have 2 roos and 12 hens. actually had more hens last year. One of my broodys is in the fav. nest box and it's about 21/2' above the floor so i will move her eventually because the chicks won't be able to get back in the nest box when they leave. I have her eggs marked and so far none have laid in her nest, but if they start I will remove their eggs and probably move her to another smaller coop and close her up for a few days to make sure she is settled. you can use a large dog kennel to do the same if you don't have another placve to close her up. I had my ducks use a large dog kennel last year for brooding. My broody is bantam and at least 3 other hens can get into this nest box too. But take a washable magic maker and mark the eggs that way you'll know hers from the others and can remove the others. All the best and keep us posted.
