Other bird trying to help?

[Bbbbeavers]

I have a silkie who went broody at the beginning of the month, so I got her some fertilized eggs to take care off. Day 21 is tomorrow!

I decided to allow the silkie to brood her eggs in the nesting box she went broody in. I have plenty of other boxes for my three other laying hens, but about two weeks ago I started finding my black australorp, Dolores, sitting in the box with the silkie and the eggs. I thought maybe she had decided to go broody as well, but when I moved her she happily went about the rest of her day outside of the coop. I also know she is still laying, because I tried to block off the nesting box but she still went in and laid an egg.

Starting yesterday, Dolores has become increasing aggressive toward me and other birds who get near the eggs. I have dogs and she ran out of the coop today to squawk at them for about five minutes when they barked. This evening when I went to check, Dolores is not roosting but is instead sitting on about half of the eggs in the box and the silkie is on the others.

I am curious if anyone else has observed this sort of “helping” behavior near hatch time? I believe Dolores is the top of the pecking order (no roosters here). Is this something I should be concerned about/should I try to remove the eggs and the silkie to a secure location this late in the game? Any issues that could result in having two potential mothers?

Thanks in advance for any advice or just telling me all will be ok! Attaching an image from the first day I discovered them together.

 

[Teila]

Hey Bbbbeavers I notice that no-one else has chimed in so I thought I would

I have no personal experience with co-broodies but I have read many posts from those who have. I recommend a search for other experiences and stories.

If it was me, I would leave them be, you never know, they may be one of the successful co-parenting stories. However, definitely keep a close eye on them and have a Plan B ready to put in to action; a separate area for either your Silkie or Dolores to raise the chicks solo or even a brooder box ready to go if you end up having to raise them.

Good luck!

'Co Parenting' and 'Co Broodies' in the search box returned multiple hits.

 

[Bbbbeavers]

Thank you! I tried a bunch of search terms but none of them included “co”. Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it.