Two Chickens, One Nest?

[Buxton Ducks]

It seems that my Old English and my D'Uccle have gone broody at the same time. Because they all like the same nest box, they are sitting next to each other to hatch the eggs. When one gets up to eat, the other steals her eggs. There were only 4 eggs total so I put a couple fertile duck eggs to fill in the space. Edith (my fat little D'Uccle) will hoard ALL the eggs and really upsets blue who steals a few when Edith goes for food. I would like them to hatch all the eggs but am at a dilemma here! When they hatch will they fight over whos baby is whos? When everybody goes to sleep I candle the eggs and divide them up evenly. Please help!

 

[Judy]

If you leave them together, whoever a chick hatches under should be who it imprints on, so the one who mothers it -- but there is really no predicting. However, if you leave them together, it is more likely that some or all the eggs will get cracked or broken with all the shuffling.

 

[Buxton Ducks]

They were fighting over eggs this morning so I will find away to separate them. I think I will put a divider in the nest box, they are big boxes for little bantams. Thanks so much!

 

[Buxton Ducks]

Well it is day 27 and I tried everything to separate these two. They have learned a very un-chickenlike behavior it seems. I took two eggs out and gave them to another broody hen and left two for these goof-balls! Whoever was left on the nest will take the eggs until they need a break. In fact I have now seen Edith go right underneath Blue and scoop up the eggs, then Blue will go for a run around the yard and a visit to the food/water. She will then hop back on the nest and snuggle right up to Edith until it is her turn. The eggs are candling nicely and due to hatch tomorrow! I am really curious about when it comes time to decide who mom is.

Here they are: Blue on left, Edith on right

 

[Buxton Ducks]

Against all the odds, one has hatched this morning! It is 40 degrees out and they were fighting over the hatching duckling so I decided to put him in the brooder where he finished hatching.