TJAnonymous
Enabler
One of my Buff Orpingtons, named Seven (short for "#7 with a side of fries") turned broody at least 5-7 days ago. She has been sitting on a clutch of eggs inside a nesting box in her coop. Her sisters have been laying in the barn (I think) since Seven is occupying their box.
A few days ago, I noticed one of her BO sisters, named Red, has been keeping Seven company. Red sits on the floor right outside the nesting box, a few inches from her sister. I had assumed that Red just really wanted to lay in the box instead of in the barn...
Then this evening, I went to count chickens and make sure everyone was accounted for.... Only to find Red sitting haphazardly on top of Seven who STILL refused to budge.... When I picked up Red to put her on the roost, I saw two eggs under her which Seven promptly began rolling BACK under her. Red seemed very put out so I took 2 eggs and put them in a different, covered nesting box and tried to put Red on them but she refused to stay... So I ended up giving the two eggs back to Seven who, AGAIN, rolled them under her... Seven is easily sitting on 7-8 eggs, I think, although I didn't want to disturb her to count...
So now what? Lol.... I've never had two broody hens fighting over the same clutch of eggs. What should I do here?
Oh, and just to add... I'm not even 100% sure they are fertilized. I have 1 old rooster and almost 20 hens... I debated candling them and then just decided to wait and see what happens....
A few days ago, I noticed one of her BO sisters, named Red, has been keeping Seven company. Red sits on the floor right outside the nesting box, a few inches from her sister. I had assumed that Red just really wanted to lay in the box instead of in the barn...
Then this evening, I went to count chickens and make sure everyone was accounted for.... Only to find Red sitting haphazardly on top of Seven who STILL refused to budge.... When I picked up Red to put her on the roost, I saw two eggs under her which Seven promptly began rolling BACK under her. Red seemed very put out so I took 2 eggs and put them in a different, covered nesting box and tried to put Red on them but she refused to stay... So I ended up giving the two eggs back to Seven who, AGAIN, rolled them under her... Seven is easily sitting on 7-8 eggs, I think, although I didn't want to disturb her to count...
So now what? Lol.... I've never had two broody hens fighting over the same clutch of eggs. What should I do here?
Oh, and just to add... I'm not even 100% sure they are fertilized. I have 1 old rooster and almost 20 hens... I debated candling them and then just decided to wait and see what happens....