Two hens on one egg- advice please!

[OffGridFish]

Hello I’m looking for some advice please - I have two broody hens and only one egg. They seem to take turns sitting on it but both are in the nest box pretty much 24/7. The actual mum is a bantam Wyandotte and the brood buddy is a full sized Wyandotte and top of the pecking order so I’m concerned once the egg hatches that they will fight over the chick and possibly harm it. I’m also concerned if I move one hen and egg into a separate cage that she may abandon the egg when it is due in only 2 days!

Does anyone have experience with two broodies fighting over a chick, or do they sort it out? They’ve both been on the nest for the 3 weeks, I wanted to give them a break from laying anyway so not wanting to “break” the brood before 3 wks. If the recommendation is to choose one hen and separate, any suggestions which hen to choose? Our other full-sized hen has just reared a single tiny bantam chick and absolutely gorgeous to watch. Thanks!

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

The eggs have to be fertile in order for them to hatch.
If you don't have a rooster then the eggs are not fertilized. Usually by 3 weeks (21 days) the eggs start to hatch. If you think the egg is fertile, I would candle to egg.

I would pick the mother than seems the most protective. Usually the hens on top of the pecking order have an advantage since the other hen already know to not mess with them. They make the best mothers. I've had multiple hens brooding their own chicks, usually they separate themselves from the flock. But your situation is different, they are "fighting" for an egg. I've heard a story were 2 hens were broody on the same nesting box. If the hens get along, they will both raise and take care of the chicks. Perhaps they are doing the same thing?

Again, if the eggs aren't fertile I would either find them some fertile eggs or buy some baby chicks and slip them under them at night. I see no point of them sitting on an egg that won't even hatch.

 

[Pyxis]

I've had two hens share one chick before with no problems. That chick was the most protected chick ever raised by broodies, lol. The hens stayed together all the time and both were happy to keep it warm, find it food, and protect it. They did not fight with each other and were good co-moms.

In general I've found that, in my flock, two hens sharing chicks usually goes pretty well. If your hens are getting along okay (I didn't see anywhere in your post that said they were fighting over the egg or fighting with each other) then they may well cooperate happily and raise the chick together with no problems.

Just be prepared to separate if need be, and maybe have a backup plan for getting more chicks so each hen could have their own chicks if it comes to that.

 

[Arielle2]

SHaring usually doesnt work. If you have a rooster, is the egg fertile?? If not, just remove the egg.

 

[OffGridFish]

Yes we have a rooster! He is a bantam too (can’t reach the big girls but doesn’t stop trying) and I’ve candled the egg and it’s developing on track. I guess there is no assumed knowledge here eh

Thanks for your replies - the hens seem to be getting along really well so maybe I’m being over cautious and should see how they go.

 

[ThenNotSoChickenMaster]

Sweet! Glad it's working out!

 

[TexasSam]

I had two hens hatch 6 eggs and shared the momma duties and they got along great. That was my experience how long have they been on the egg

 

[OffGridFish]

3 weeks tomorrow, hoping for some peeps in the morning

 

[Miss717]

Update?

 

[TexasSam]