Two Broody Hens- question

[eggscetera]

I have two hens sitting on eggs in adjacent nests. My thought was to simply fence off the area around the nests when the chicks are born (since they can't stay in the nest) and let the chicks/moms live in that area till the little guys are big enough to be out with the big hens. But will two chicken moms be amenable to sharing the same space? What have others done once chicks have hatched in a nest and need to be moved?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

You just will have to see how they do. Some gladly accept other broody hens while others do not.

 

[Pine Hill Farms]

Your mama hen will protect her chicks from other chickens. It's easier to keep them all together then you don't have that period of time where pecking order is established. Our roosters actually help raise our chicks. The flock usually just accepts the chicks and sometimes assists in keeping everyone together. I suggest keeping mom and baby's in a crate for a day or two inside the coop, then kicking other adults out of coop for a few hours,and let mom and baby's get used to the coop. By about day 3-4 they know where home is, and can be quite comfortable in the flock. Keep the dog crate in the coop so they still have their own space and nesting spot at night. I find it's calmer and no one gets picked on this way. When you take them out then put them back at older ages they get picked at. We tried it this way this year and will never go back. I even snuck chicks I bought under her and it worked great

 

[iwiw60]

This page will give you great information on your broodys:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=broody+hatch

Wishing you well, and be sure to post pics when your little fuzzy-butts appear!!!