Two broodies? Would this work?

[The Happster]

So there is just a chance that I may be allowed to hatch chicks..... One of my buff girls has just decided to go broody. Great. Suits me. But then her sister noticed her in the egg box. And now I have not one but TWO in there. I know there is a chance she isn't serious. But actually I'm interested to know this for the future. Could I let the two hatch side by side? They're sisters, have never been apart, are just one year old.
I wouldn't want to risk anything.
Has anyone else had two broodies together? They are literally squashed in that box. Both screaming if I so much as dare to stroke them.
Would one hen attack the other....?
Would the chicks be confused as to which is their mum?
I haven't a clue.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've had broodies co-parent, but usually what happens is one takes over the chicks, or the chicks get attacked. I'd pick one and break the other.

 

[The Happster]

The only thing is they've never had a pecking order between them and I'd hate to separate them even for one to hatch.


I have an older hen, that has been broody at least six times. Is it possible for me to encourage her to go broody? I'd trust her every time. Maybe it's better if the younger two don't hatch just yet.
Thanks for your reply.

 

[centrarchid]

The only thing is they've never had a pecking order between them and I'd hate to separate them even for one to hatch.


I have an older hen, that has been broody at least six times. Is it possible for me to encourage her to go broody? I'd trust her every time. Maybe it's better if the younger two don't hatch just yet.
Thanks for your reply.

I can get chickens I have to go broody relatively easily, but they represent a breed known for broodiness.

To add on the two broody scenario. Typically I break one to reduce odds of complications. When I expect lower odds of complications in the two broody system is when hens go broody at same time and eggs under them start incubation at same time hens go broody. If hens out of sync with hatching, they are less inclined to bond / imprint on chicks. Chicks can hatch late (greater than 21 days), but not early (for my birds < 18 days into incubation).

 

[AllenK RGV]

The only thing is they've never had a pecking order between them and I'd hate to separate them even for one to hatch.


I have an older hen, that has been broody at least six times. Is it possible for me to encourage her to go broody? I'd trust her every time. Maybe it's better if the younger two don't hatch just yet.
Thanks for your reply.

My experience is they get to hatch day then fight over the chicks and kill them. We are happy to allow co-brooding until lockdown now.

 

[The Happster]

My best broody is a Light Sussex. She has successfully hatched four times now. She's got a 100% hatch rate. (I hate to brag ) I did try her but she's having none of it! So I guess I'll go with one of the buff hens. This one seems to be serious about it.

Just as a side note, I'd quite like to hatch eggs from my Light Sussex hen. She's 4-5 years old. Would the eggs be less likely to hatch than with a younger hen?


Won't risk trying two girls at once. I can't stand the thought of them killing the chicks.