Two Broodies in One Nest Box?

[squeakyballs]

One of my hens went broody last week. I was going to wait another week, and then swap her golf-balls for chicks.

Today, my other hen joined her! They are now both broody in the same nest box.

Should I give them each a set of chicks? Should I move Broody #2 to her own nest box?

 

[chocolate m'scovy]

We had two broodies in the same nest last year. The eggs were in two piles though.

 

[Momo]

A lot of people say you should keep them separated as they can attack each other's chicks. But when I was a kid we had a couple of EE hens (sisters) who always brooded together and raised the chicks together.

 

[squeakyballs]

The two hens are both silkies, and they have been best friends since I got them... I haven't seen them peck at each other once. Do you think they'll be okay raising the chicks together?

If I have to separate them, how long do I have to wait before they'll leave each others chicks alone?

 

[squeakyballs]

Quote:
Did they do okay raising the chicks together?

 

[kathyinmo]

You mean like this? These 2 sat, and then after they got up to eat and poop, they would fight over the eggs when they go tback. It was quite entertaining! I ended up taking the eggs out, and breaking their broodiness, because they pooped on the eggs.