I’m so upset, beyond upset!! we have 2 small bantam hens and 1 rooster, one hen is 2 weeks into setting, today the other hen got into the setting hen’s nest (she likes to lay her eggs there) and killed an egg, broke it open, and there was a chick developing inside, when I caught her she was starting on a second egg, but it is ok, now only 2 eggs left.
I know what we SHOULD have done that could have prevented this, separated her, etc. but in all the decades of raising chickens I NEVER had a hen kill another hen’s eggs and I’ve never separated a brooding hen. She had her little corner, the other 2 don't even roost in the house at night. What will they do to the chicks? Why would she have done this? How do I not hate that hen and her rooster who was watching! They are very tame, follow us everywhere, jump in our laps, now I just see them as murderers. I’m upset, mama hen is upset.
I know what we SHOULD have done that could have prevented this, separated her, etc. but in all the decades of raising chickens I NEVER had a hen kill another hen’s eggs and I’ve never separated a brooding hen. She had her little corner, the other 2 don't even roost in the house at night. What will they do to the chicks? Why would she have done this? How do I not hate that hen and her rooster who was watching! They are very tame, follow us everywhere, jump in our laps, now I just see them as murderers. I’m upset, mama hen is upset.
) has been laying her eggs in the setting hen's nest, the setting hen, Hazel, would take her "break" while the other laid. This has gone on for 2 weeks. The egg didn't just break, when I went in Sparkle was starting to peck at a second egg. It is such a shock to me bec. I've raised bantams 50 years, have even had hens share a nest and raise a clutch together, never has this happen. I will certainly keep the setting hen protected. There are only 2 eggs left, it was only 3 to begin with, she is a small hen.
