Two broodies, one clutch.

[MommA2K]

I have two first time broodies sitting on the same clutch of eggs. One hen has been sitting for a week longer than the other, but their are no hard feeling between them. I have a small flock of 3 speckled Sussex hens, all the same age, just over a year.

I placed 13 eggs under her and we’re down to 11 now. Of course she’s in the favorite nesting box, but my one non broody doesn’t seem to mind. The nesting box is up off the ground, I’m worried about the chicks falling out even though there is a 2x4 creating a “lip”.

I set up a birthing suite (an open crate on the floor of the coop) but I’m worried about moving them now and breaking them. This Saturday will be day 21! Can I move them to the crate after they’ve hatched? I’d like to keep them all together in the coop/run if possible. I’m checking on them regularly in hopes to avoid a chick going overboard from the nesting box.

I’m also worried about the two hens turning on each other once the chicks hatch. Can they live happily ever after raising them together? There have never been any quarrels in my small flock and I’m hoping that will work in my favor! I’ve read the attached article and searched other threads unable to answer my questions. I realize each flock is different, just looking for some guidance from chicken owners that have been in this situation!

thank you!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-letting-broody-hens-hatch-and-raise-chicks.65989/

 

[DobieLover]

It's too late to move her. I did lose a chick that hatched and managed to fall out of the nest. The nest box was a whopping 4" off the ground. It just couldn't make that jump to get back under the mother and it died of hypothermia during the night when it got down to 34F.

As for the two mothers now on the nest, sometimes it works out beautifully, sometimes when the eggs start hatching things go sideways and chicks get killed. If the two would be mothers are getting along now, hopefully they will co-parent the brood and all will be well.

Once the eggs have hatched, put the entire bunch on the coop floor. They do not need to be separated from the non-broody girl. But they all need to be eating chick starter, Flock Raiser or All Flock with oyster shell in a separate container for the laying hen.

Is your coop elevated? Chicks have a hard time navigating the ramp. So if mom(s) take them out, she may not be successful getting them all back in the coop. If that happens you will likely need to provide her with a spot on the ground to safely nest with them at night.

 

[MommA2K]

It's too late to move her. I did lose a chick that hatched and managed to fall out of the nest. The nest box was a whopping 4" off the ground. It just couldn't make that jump to get back under the mother and it died of hypothermia during the night when it got down to 34F.

As for the two mothers now on the nest, sometimes it works out beautifully, sometimes when the eggs start hatching things go sideways and chicks get killed. If the two would be mothers are getting along now, hopefully they will co-parent the brood and all will be well.

Once the eggs have hatched, put the entire bunch on the coop floor. They do not need to be separated from the non-broody girl. But they all need to be eating chick starter, Flock Raiser or All Flock with oyster shell in a separate container for the laying hen.

Is your coop elevated? Chicks have a hard time navigating the ramp. So if mom(s) take them out, she may not be successful getting them all back in the coop. If that happens you will likely need to provide her with a spot on the ground to safely nest with them at night.

Thank you for taking the time to respond! My coop isn’t elevated, there is a ramp leading up to the roost, will the chicks stay off that I hope?! I don’t want them to tumble off, it could be removed if necessary.

I’ll be sure to pick up some chick starter when they hatch and top off the oyster shell that’s in there for my non broody.

I’ll leave them be until they’re hatched, thanks again!

 

[mtma]

I'd leave them until the hatch then move them down. We had two astrolorp sisters sharing 13 babies. One died (got stepped on in the box), but they co-parented beautifully until ones body started laying eggs again and she got all confused, so we moved her out. The babies still seek her out for warmth and protection, so now she's just like their "aunt." Here's a pic of everyone in the nest box. BTW, this nest box is about 18 inches off the ground. We made a temporary larger "lip" and deck off the front to help with falls and added a ramp. No injuries due to the height.

 

[MommA2K]

I'd leave them until the hatch then move them down. We had two astrolorp sisters sharing 13 babies. One died (got stepped on in the box), but they co-parented beautifully until ones body started laying eggs again and she got all confused, so we moved her out. The babies still seek her out for warmth and protection, so now she's just like their "aunt." Here's a pic if everyone spring the nest box. BTW, this nest box is about 18 inches off the ground. We made a temporary larger "lip" and deck off the front to help with falls and added a ramp. No injuries due to the height.View attachment 2692150

Love it! They look like a happy bunch

 

[DobieLover]

They won't go up there until their mother brings them up there. By the time she brings them up there they will be able to fly down on their own.

 

[bhawk-23]

@MommA2K
How did the hatch go?

@mtma
I have two australorp sisters go broody the exact same time 2 days ago. I was going to give them each 4-5 eggs to sit on. Should I just combine them and let them share 1 big clutch?

 

[MommA2K]

@MommA2K
How did the hatch go?

@mtma
I have two australorp sisters go broody the exact same time 2 days ago. I was going to give them each 4-5 eggs to sit on. Should I just combine them and let them share 1 big clutch?

It went great! They seemed to divide them up between them themselves, and if one got off the other would take over all of them. They hatched on Saturday and have been great moms, no squabbles. Chicks run out from under one and to the other

The picture is from Sunday when I moved them to the ground because we have elevated nesting boxes and that’s where they were sitting on the clutch.