What the hen madness! 2 broody, 3 helpers

[GreenbrierChickens]

I have a broody cuckoo maran hen named fajita that is serious about her mom abilities. So I get her fertilized eggs to sit on and my other cuckoo maran instantaneously went Broody so I split the eggs up between the two. 22 eggs still in play. And I have other hens that are not broody but help out like swing shifts on the eggs. Here's hoping they all get along with the chicks. And I will watch one get into the empty nest box, lay an egg and then keep close to the coop until one of the marans get up and jump on the eggs. Then when she comes back they jump off and get on with their life. I have nine hens and 3 laying boxes. It's like a parenting co-op without the broodyness. Here's hoping it lasts another 16 days.

Cant tell too well, but box lineup is a BO& WO , EE, and both Cuckoo Marans in last box.

 

[GreenbrierChickens]

Its finally warming up for me to do the spring cleanup of the coop and pull out the winter deep litter, hoping it won't stress out the hens in the nests. It's a 6*8' coop so I shouldn't be up on them too close.

 

[GreenbrierChickens]

Not getting my hopes up for anything in particular, but here's what I got in the works.

6 Black Astralorpe, 2 Blue Andalusian, and 16 Delaware Roo over RSL or Delaware.

Eating roos and mix, hoping to keep 3-5 hens out of mix.

1st time letting hens raise chicks, so time will tell.