Split nest between broodies?

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

So I currently have a broody pullet (broody #3 this summer) who is on week two of her nest. So, about one week left. (3 eggs btw)

Broody #4 just joined.
I'd like to have her try her instincts. However, I don't really want to add more eggs right now.

So, I'd like to split the current nest. (Which #4 has been trying to steal)
However... I'm not sure how that'll work with about 6 days left until hatch, when she JUST officially went broody.

I get that every bird is different.

But, I'd like some advice from others... how realistic is it for a new broody to care for eggs that are about to hatch?
And, are they more likely to abandon or harm the chick because it's two weeks too early?

Thank you for your time

 

[DobieLover]

Instead of letting the hens decide whether or not to hatch, you decide. I would put broody #4 in a broody breaker and let her set next year if she goes broody again and if you have room to add more birds to your flock.
You have too many negative or potentially negative variables in your situation.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Instead of letting the hens decide whether or not to hatch, you decide. I would put broody #4 in a broody breaker and let her set next year if she goes broody again and if you have room to add more birds to your flock.
You have too many negative or potentially negative variables in your situation.

You'd have to clarify what you mean by negative variables, as I'm not sure what you mean.

Even without taking this particular situation into account...
I do want to know how realistic it might be for a new broody to accept eggs that are close to hatch.

If additional info is needed from my side, I can provide some.

- Some of them will be food. And some of their offspring will be kept. I'll add unrelated lines as needed.
- I do want broody birds. (With a healthy amount of broody instinct)
- I have the space. I can comfortably fit the number of birds I'll have if these eggs hatch.
- Anybody who is bad for the flock, they'll be gone. (So far, no noticeable issues.)
- I know whose eggs are whose (distinctly different) and I am deciding what eggs to be set

I know a lot of people don't want broody birds.
I know much of the time, interrupting their attempts at setting is for their own health (if you can't have more birds, or don't have fertile eggs, then it's bad for them to set. Or if they always go broody and their health declines.)
My mom would discourage broody behavior and her birds would eventually stop and be just fine. So I'm not concerned about that.

But. I do want broody birds, and I do want to see if any of them have good instincts.

 

[DobieLover]

negative variables

• Young first time broody.
• Only 3 eggs to split.
• Too short a time to hatch.
• More than one broody at one time.
• You mentioned you had 2 previous broodies and wanting to give eggs to #4 which suggests the first 2 hatched chicks. That would mean youngsters in the flock which are the least tolerated by broody hens and add tension and drama to the flock.

I have the space.

How much coop space? Run space? Roost space? Minimum suggested values are not enough when you have a broody hen involved. They need more room to work with.

I know a lot of people don't want broody birds.

I am not one of them. I have my second hen setting for this year and have permitted broodies to hatch every year.

I do want broody birds

And it sounds as if you have four. I have a flock of 30 birds with two consistent LF broodies and 2 bantam broodies that easily meet my desires for new chicks. I don't know how many more broodies you think you might need.

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

• Young first time broody.
• Only 3 eggs to split.
• Too short a time to hatch.
• More than one broody at one time.
• You mentioned you had 2 previous broodies and wanting to give eggs to #4 which suggests the first 2 hatched chicks. That would mean youngsters in the flock which are the least tolerated by broody hens and add tension and drama to the flock.

How much coop space? Run space? Roost space? Minimum suggested values are not enough when you have a broody hen involved. They need more room to work with.

I am not one of them. I have my second hen setting for this year and have permitted broodies to hatch every year.

And it sounds as if you have four. I have a flock of 30 birds with two consistent LF broodies and 2 bantam broodies that easily meet my desires for new chicks. I don't know how many more broodies you think you might need.

K perhaps I should have just said "How likely is it for a new broody to accept eggs that are about to hatch" because that's the answer I've been trying to get...

I'm looking for if the hormones need to be around for weeks for it to work?
It's info I'd like for the future.