Two broodies in one pen? Will it work?

[mommywoes]

I have 2 broodies and I took the eggs away yesterday because they were fighting over the chicks once they started to hatch and forced one chick out before it was ready. Even when kept them separate from each other one would continually leave its nest to share on the other clutch.

So from my personal experience I won't allow them to keep any eggs again, I lost 5 eggs in the course of their fighting.

 

[Wynette]

Quote:
Awe...I'm sorry!

 

[Wynette]

So I wanted to give a quick update. I was not successful in having both of my gals stay broody, but one one of them did - my pretty blue Jersey Giant hen. I gave her 6 olive egger eggs (3 first generation and 3 second). I really don't need any more chickens, but I've actually been totally missing the green & blue eggs, so....what the heck!

She's been an awesome momma....growls at me when I approach, but allows me to pick her up & remove her from her dog crate - I've left the door open so she can come & go as she pleases in the stall, but she stays put to a fault & even poops in her nest (ACK - hence the reason I physically remove her twice daily, so I can clean up the nest).

Her eggs are due this Saturday, 9/17....please cross your fingers that at least a couple will hatch! I'm SO proud of my gal!

ETA - here she is on her nest:

 

[mstricer]

Quote:
Good luck Wynette, those Jersey's make great mommys
Michele

 

[boogiedog]

I have many broody breeds and they all seem to go broody at the same time. I have put dog kennels in the coop, and put the eggs in the kennel, and selected the broodiest hens to go in each kennel. I have had similar issues with the hen not wanting to settle down in the new spot, but after a few tries can usually find success by again placing her on the eggs and holding there there - taking my hand and moving the eggs around under her so she can feel them and next thing I know I am getting the "I get it, now leave" peck on my hand. I do lock them into the actual kennel, with food and water. Had good success and it stops the other ladies from stealing and fighting over eggs (lost plenty of eggs that way).

Good luck!

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, Michele! I can't believe I've not done this before!

boogiedog (Okay, I LOVE your user ID - it's the 2nd one today that I've run across that's neat!) - this gal's kennel/nest is inside a small horse stall, and she was being so vigilant - on or about day 6 or 7, I went ahead & opened the front and she's stayed put. But, she's by herself in the stall. I have the radio playing for her during the day...she can hear chickens from two other pens, but it has to be boring as all getout being in a stall all by yourself!

I'm getting kind of worried about her, as I have only seen her eat a tiny bit - I put her pelleted feed in the purple cage cup so I could easily monitor how much she's eating, and I bet she's only eaten 1/10 of a cup all week. ACK! It's REALLY bothering me! I have been physically removing her from the box twice daily - she'll come out, take several swigs of water (which I have avia charge 2000 in) and then eat a few pellets and then goes RIGHT back to the nest. She's a sweetheart, and though she growls at me a bit when I move her, she's not tried to peck at me.

Gosh, these next few days are going to inch by!

 

[boogiedog]

I had the same worries about food and drink - but you will notice that she is eating and drinking, likely when you are not watching. I too work full time and could barely wait to get home and check in - happily the food and water in the dishes is down. Granted, when broody they are not up and about as much as the other hens, which certainly compromises their physical condition, but they do eat and drink. I suppliment with vitamins in the water and some special treats in the food (meal worms are always a bit hit, as are fresh greens - but not too many as broody poop is bad enough, broody diarhea would be disgusting)

 

[Wynette]

boogie, I've tried scrambled eggs, steam-rolled oats & steam-rolled barley, and other treats (nothing live, though) and she turns her beak up at them. I can definitely tell how much she has/is eating, as the cage cup only holds maybe a cup of food. I guess I just have to trust mother nature on this one. Gosh, she won't even leave the nest to poop - she poops to the side of the nest (which is why I've been removing her twice daily to make sure there's not poop in there- ack).

Sigh. I hate to wish my life away, but I wish it was Friday today!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I am sorry to hear only one stayed broody.


But go Broody, go

 

[Wynette]

Thanks, HorseFeatherz! It's alright; I, like so many, have issues with Chicken Math, so I honestly didn't "need" any more birds!

The countdown begins...man, it's going to be a VERY LONG few days until the hatching begins (assuming there WILL BE hatching!)