Sharing brooding

[Sally Geraldine]

One bantam hen started sitting on 9 eggs. Now another hen has joined her. I tried moving 3 eggs and the intruden hen to another brooding box but now she has deserted and gone back to sit next to the hen with 6 eggs. I've never experienced this before. I'm worried that it will cause problems when the chicks hatch. Also when they hatch whether to keep the hens and chicks together in a run .. or what? I'd appreciate help on this one please.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

One bantam hen started sitting on 9 eggs. Now another hen has joined her. I tried moving 3 eggs and the intruden hen to another brooding box but now she has deserted and gone back to sit next to the hen with 6 eggs. I've never experienced this before. I'm worried that it will cause problems when the chicks hatch. Also when they hatch whether to keep the hens and chicks together in a run .. or what? I'd appreciate help on this one please.

Can you move one of the hens OUT with the eggs in a separate pen??? Or divide the coop? I’ve never experienced two hens brooding at the same time.
Hopefully someone who has dealt with this before will chime in soon.....
Best wishes and Be well!

 

[Sally Geraldine]

I so appreciate your response, thank you so much. Unfortunately the Intruder hen deserted her eggs overnight, so sadly they are lost now. I'm a bit stuck on this problem now! I wish you all the best.