too many mommies

[Becksdunn]

not sure what to do about this situation. i have at least five of my hens sitting on the same eggs at the same time. its looks a bit crazy.

 

[abenardini]

Do you have another nest box you can move some of the eggs to and split them up? That might work - or you could buy some of the dummy eggs if not enough eggs to go around.

That is kinda funny though.

 

[Criticalicious]

How many eggs are in there? Have you marked them with the date to keep track? Are they likely to be fertilized (do you have a rooster?) Like suggested, do you have more nest boxes to spread the eggs and mommas around? How many babies do you want?!

 

[SimplyLivinthatFarmLife]

I think everything I would ask has already been asked. Please keep us updated as to how many eggs the girls are sitting on and if you had any luck trying to separate eggs into different nesting boxes. I had this happen with 2 of my girls. Once the eggs hatched, they seemed to be fighting over the chicks, so I removed the chicks and raised them myself. Good luck.

 

[DobieLover]

not sure what to do about this situation. i have at least five of my hens sitting on the same eggs at the same time. its looks a bit crazy. View attachment 1914760 View attachment 1914761 View attachment 1914761

How old are these girls?
I would put most of them in a broody breaker crate and work to break their broodiness. When more than one hen tries to incubate a clutch of eggs, the eggs/chicks can suffer. Two broodies sometimes works but what you have there is ridiculous.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

not sure what to do about this situation. i have at least five of my hens sitting on the same eggs at the same time. its looks a bit crazy. View attachment 1914760 View attachment 1914761 View attachment 1914761

 

[Aunt Angus]

I saw the thread title and asked, "How are there too many mommies?" Then I saw the pic and laughed out loud!

But seriously, the hatch dates will get all mixed up. I'd separate them into different nests (depending on the number of eggs) and use maybe 1 or 2 broodies. Then I'd break the others unless I had some way of isolating them in separate areas with separate clutches.

Goodness! All those broodies at once... Do keep us posted and let us know what you decide to do!

 

[Aunt Angus]

Just looked at the pic again. Looks like a 5-headed broody mama monster!

 

[2 many chickens]

Break it off.
If you really want chicks, keep one broody and stop the rest from sitting. Once chicks start to hatch there will be fights and chicks could be hurt or killed. I had one broody kill another broodys chicks before.

 

[Callender Girl]

I feel at least some of your pain (although the photos are soooo funny). Right now, I have a Sapphire Gem trying to lay her daily egg in one of the nest boxes in her coop. Snuggled right in there with her are a pair of Cochin Bantams who refuse to move to the other box in that coop or their own nest-boxed coop. Crazy broodies!! Good luck with your girls!!