Raising chicks with a broody from a flock of only two

[Lsollazzi]

Hi there. I'm hoping for some advice please. We had a flock of 3 buff orpington hens and the one at the bottom of the pecking order has sadly just died, leaving rebecca, who is a bit rooster-like and Chicky who is forever broody. We have some fertilised eggs about to arrive for her- this will be hers and our first time! I can't decide what is best to do with rebecca while chicky sits and/or once the chicks hatch. They are free range from quite a small coop and run. We also have a more spacious playhouse which we can convert to a second coop. Sorry for all the background, but now finally to my questions... do you think it would be best to keep them altogether? Might rebecca be a bit like a dad, or is she likely to peck either the eggs or the chicks. Im reluctant to move chicky in case it snaps her out of her brood and wastes the expensive eggs ive bought and upsets our kids who are already sad from ther death of the other chicken. Should I move rebecca to the new coop on her own? If I do this might there be issues reintroducing her back to the flock of mummy and her older chicks later? Btw the chicks will be all bantams so much smaller, and two different breeds: australorp and wyandottes, assuming they hatch! Ultimately they will have the two coops to choose between. Thanks in advance

 

[Mylied]

I'd keep them together. It'll keep everyone happy and seamlessly intigrate the new chicks into the flock. The broody will protect them from the other hen if necessary but my hens never mess with a broodys chicks and I always raise them together. I'm not too sure about letting them free range while the chicks are tiny. They make nice bite sized snacks for everything.

 

[Lsollazzi]

I'd keep them together. It'll keep everyone happy and seamlessly intigrate the new chicks into the flock. The broody will protect them from the other hen if necessary but my hens never mess with a broodys chicks and I always raise them together. I'm not too sure about letting them free range while the chicks are tiny. They make nice bite sized snacks for everything.

That's so helpful. Thank you very much

 

[chalet girl]

Watching this thread. Thanks for starting this discussion. I have loads of questions about raising chicks too.

 

[Acre4Me]

The issues with a broody in a coop of chickens is that another bird can take over the nest or kick her out of the nest. Another egg can be laid in the nest. So, these are issues you should watch out for. You could block the broody in the nest, and let her out once a day for food/water/dust bath, but that may not be necessary.

once hatched, the other hen may ignore the chicks or not, so you’ll have to watch. And your broody may be a good sitter but a terrible mom
And could kill her chicks (but not typical). If your coop is an elevated one, the little chicks won’t be able to navigate the ramp, so you may need a ground level setup at that time. Same is true if you have elevated nest boxes.

good luck!

 

[Lsollazzi]

Now my broody is happily sitting but at night the other hen, after seeming quite scared to enter the coop at all, then keeps squeezing into the nesting box with her. Im worried she will break the eggs. She didn't used to sleep in there. I dont know if it's because she misses the hen that died/is feeling lonely, or she's trying to help, or she's trying to sabotage. Whichever it is, do you recommend I allow it or take steps to stop it, such as move her to another coop, which would leave them both alone.

 

[Lsollazzi]

Btw the other hen I don't think has a broody bone in her body so I doubt she's trying to take over ther nest

 

[Acre4Me]

She may just want the company. Chickens are social creatures! Any way to enlarge the nest box?

 

[Mylied]

Now my broody is happily sitting but at night the other hen, after seeming quite scared to enter the coop at all, then keeps squeezing into the nesting box with her. Im worried she will break the eggs. She didn't used to sleep in there. I dont know if it's because she misses the hen that died/is feeling lonely, or she's trying to help, or she's trying to sabotage. Whichever it is, do you recommend I allow it or take steps to stop it, such as move her to another coop, which would leave them both alone.

I've had multiple hens share a nest so it doesn't bother me but if you can't tell I'm pretty relaxed about the whole broody hen situation. Lol. I just let them do their thing and only intervene if something goes wrong. Neither are going to be very happy if they are alone.