What to do with 2 broodies at different stages

[grlnamedsue]

New here, and new to hatching!
So I found a pot of gold in my black australorp when she went broody. She is due to hatch her (and my) first batch of chicks ever the beginning of next week. I was too scared to move her for fear of breaking her broodiness, so she's still in the coop, in one of the lesser used boxes on the top. I know I will have to move her and the chicks to ground level once they hatch, but was planning on crossing that bridge when I got there. My plan was just to leave them in the coop instead of separating, only moving them if there were major issues. However, here's the twist that makes me second guess my decision.... Another hen, a GL Wyandotte decided to go broody just in the last day or so. 1) I am afraid of how she will react to the other hen's chicks when they hatch because of her hormones. 2) I wouldn't mind her hatching eggs, but don't know if I should have her wait until the first hen hatches hers out, then move her (she's in a more popular nest box) and just let her hatch her own 3) I really don't want to have to separate anyone from the flock for fear of reintegration issues.
I'm not even sure I'm looking for a specific answer, but need help in deciding what would be best to do. Has anyone had experience with two hens at different stages of brooding and how did it work out? Will the Wyandotte mind her own business? Or will it more likely be a disaster? What would you guys do?

 

[grlnamedsue]

Anyone?

 

[red horse ranch]

New here, and new to hatching!
So I found a pot of gold in my black australorp when she went broody. She is due to hatch her (and my) first batch of chicks ever the beginning of next week. I was too scared to move her for fear of breaking her broodiness, so she's still in the coop, in one of the lesser used boxes on the top. I know I will have to move her and the chicks to ground level once they hatch, but was planning on crossing that bridge when I got there. My plan was just to leave them in the coop instead of separating, only moving them if there were major issues. However, here's the twist that makes me second guess my decision.... Another hen, a GL Wyandotte decided to go broody just in the last day or so. 1) I am afraid of how she will react to the other hen's chicks when they hatch because of her hormones. 2) I wouldn't mind her hatching eggs, but don't know if I should have her wait until the first hen hatches hers out, then move her (she's in a more popular nest box) and just let her hatch her own 3) I really don't want to have to separate anyone from the flock for fear of reintegration issues.
I'm not even sure I'm looking for a specific answer, but need help in deciding what would be best to do. Has anyone had experience with two hens at different stages of brooding and how did it work out? Will the Wyandotte mind her own business? Or will it more likely be a disaster? What would you guys do?

Glad you joined us!

I have found that once a hen is truly broody, she doesn't pay any attention to what anyone else is doing. Right now I have a hen that just hatched today and two other hens brooding in the same henhouse. The newborn chick's peeping did not seem to even catch the attention of the other brood hens. I usually separate my hens with new chicks for a few weeks and have never had reintegration issues. But this gives the chicks a chance to grow a little and be able to keep up with mama.
I love the Australorps. Every one of mine goes broody and they make good mothers.
I would block the entrance to her nest with a screen or something once the hatch begins. And then take her and babies out a day later if the hatch is over. This would keep the chicks from accidentally falling out.

 

[grlnamedsue]

Thanks so much for your insight! I've definitely thought it over a lot the past few days and think you're right about separating them after the hatch. I was originally going to keep them all together, but having second thoughts on that since I've noticed my cat venturing over by the coop lately (she's usually indoors, but since the warm weather has made some excursions outside...) that's definitely enough to make me nervous. I'm pretty sure the newly broody Wyandotte is serious about setting now too. It's been three days now! Usually she's a little nippy tattle tale and alerts the rooster when I near her on the nest...now she's oddly quiet (but still growls and puffs up) as if she doesn't want to alert the world of her location (a security thing I'm guessing). I'm kind of relieved, having had a second opinion. Thank you so much! I think my biggest worry was if the soon to be chicks would break the Wyandotte too, but hopefully she keeps on focusing in her own batch just like you said. The thought of who to separate and when was stressing me out. So for now I'll leave the Wyandotte and hope for the best with her as well, then remove the australorp after babies hve hatched. I'll also take your advice on how to keep the other hens out...goodness knows I've picked out "stray" eggs just about every other day and found my buff Orpington nearly laying on top of her! My Easter egger is just as guilty, but she lays first thing in the morning so I never catch her it's the last thing my soon to be babies need!

 

[red horse ranch]

I've been incubating and hatching with brood hens for years. And I still get nervous when the hatch is close. Hubby says that I'm more nervous than the brood hen. Which is probably true!

 

[grlnamedsue]

Holy god, is broodiness contagious? I think my OTHER australorp has decided to go broody along with the Wyandotte and of course, the original australorp who's due Tuesday-ish... Or perhaps they're feeding off my own nesting preggo lady hormones, as I'm due in a few weeks myself lol. My husband was working on improvements for my chicken brooding pen today (such an awesome man!) and I told him the news and said, " well they better knock it off!!" Ha, it's too good to be true, and tempting but wondering if I should cut this one off... My own maternal instincts say, "No! Let her experience motherhood!!" Yet practicality says no....I'm not much of one to intervene though...so I think I may end up with a bunch of barnyard mix chickies to sell...and definitely plenty of freezer meat for the winter.

 

[red horse ranch]

Holy god, is broodiness contagious? I think my OTHER australorp has decided to go broody along with the Wyandotte and of course, the original australorp who's due Tuesday-ish... Or perhaps they're feeding off my own nesting preggo lady hormones, as I'm due in a few weeks myself lol. My husband was working on improvements for my chicken brooding pen today (such an awesome man!) and I told him the news and said, " well they better knock it off!!" Ha, it's too good to be true, and tempting but wondering if I should cut this one off... My own maternal instincts say, "No! Let her experience motherhood!!" Yet practicality says no....I'm not much of one to intervene though...so I think I may end up with a bunch of barnyard mix chickies to sell...and definitely plenty of freezer meat for the winter.

You are going to have your hands full! 3 broodies and a new baby to boot! Love it!