Will hens raise their chicks together in the same pen?

[old biddy]

I have two broody hens that share the same pen. I anticipate them hatching their chicks pretty much at the same time. Once they hatch their chicks, can I expect a blood bath among them or is it usual for them to at least tolerate each other?

 

[Squishychicken]

My seramas hens go broody all at the same time I've had up to 5 go broody together so far. They share the same nest same eggs and once the babies hatch they all share dutys. That may be different if the chicks hath at diffrent times or the mom are brooding on separate nests. I dont really know. But in my experience it's worked fine but then again the chicks all hatched on the same day...

 

[Chicka_deee]

I know someone who’s both their black silkies went broody and they raised some Ayam cemanis chicks together... the chicks just had two moms. I think it’s pretty cool!

 

[janiedoe]

Following.
I have two sharing a nest & eggs as well. Also have two more on individual nests. I hope all goes well for you and for me. Good luck.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

I have two broodies that want to hatch chicks. I was thinking of trying to put them together in my broody coop and seeing what happens. I wasn't going to let them hatch anymore chicks and instead just buy some from the store. It is much easier that way if you want all girls.

 

[janiedoe]

P.s. @old biddy I love your user name.

 

[The Moonshiner]

I've seen it all.
Hens that share.
Hens that don't but tolerate each other.
Hens that tolerate each other and swap back and forth.
Hens that steal all chicks for themselves
And hens that try to kill the other chicks.
Its something you'll have to try and see how it goes.

 

[jas humbert]

I agree with the Moonshiner. It depends on the hens. Most of my silkies will share nests if broody at the same time and co-parent and other than a little rivalry to get all the eggs or chicks away from the other mom we haven't had problems. That primarily consists of standing six inches away and hollering for the chicks to come out from under the other mom. But I did have one mamma once who wasn't nice to the other hens chicks who were a week or two older than hers. Here is Poppy calling the chicks to get out from under Pansy and come to her. No, the babies are not silkies. They were an assortment from the feed store and given to broody silkies who did a wonderful job of mothering them.

 

[aart]

Yep... @The Moonshiner covered it all.
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst by having another enclosure ready in case it's needed.
Best of cLuck!!