Is it okay to put two broody hens together in the same pen? Will they hurt each others chicks when they hatch? I don't have this situation now, but I would like to know for future reference. Thanks!
It depends on the personalities of the chickens. We have 2 bantam buff brahama hens that always sit and brood together and co-parent all chicks with no problem. Then we have others who "steal" chicks constantly and then everyone is upset and the moms don't spend enough time worrying about the welfare of chicks. I guess I'd say it's always best not to take the chance and keep them separate! Good luck
Sanahamma
I have a 2year old Bull Silky hen and a 2year old white fighting hen, they went broody this summer at the same time, right next to each other! When the chicks hatched the hens stayed together, protecting and feeding them. I have also seen this in Buff Orpington hens, however predators got to them and the chicks within the first month.
i had 3 bantams sit in 1 nest on 27 eggs of these 21 hatched it sure was a site watching those chicks run for cover from one mother to another.
I too had the experience of 2 banties raising a brood. I had one hen that went broody, and my kids talked me into letting her set. She was on 8 eggs, so I figured why not. Then one day I went in there and she was off the nest (eating) and there were 20 eggs in the nest! Then I noticed that there were 2 hens sitting on the same nest! The one must have laid her eggs when the other got off the nest to eat and use the bathroom. When the eggs started to hatch, I picked up one hen and half the eggs and put them in a box in the garage, then went back and got the other hen and rest of the eggs/chicks. Put both hens in same large box in separate corners. Most of the eggs hatched and the hens shared responsibilities and babies. Some of the eggs got ignored after the chicks were hatched, and ended up getting eaten, but all the babies that hatched turned out fine. Even when I put the whole lot back in the coop with everyone else, the chicks would go to whichever mom had the most room under her. It was fun. Moms never did fight over babies. In fact, they teamed up together to protect the chicks from the big chickens. Wish some times I had a "partner mom" to share my responsibilities with.
By Colleen Lewis (Crusty) on Wednesday, December 8, 1999 - 02:16 pm:
By P Jeffrey (Banty_king) on Thursday, December 9, 1999 - 08:37 am:
Usually if you put 2 broody hens with chicks together they kill each others chicks which obviously you dont want so it is best to keep them separate. Have fun
Banty
By James and Latoya Lane (Jtlane73) on Sunday, December 12, 1999 - 08:27 pm:
By Delbert on Sunday, December 19, 1999 - 08:18 pm:
By Deeds on Thursday, December 23, 1999 - 03:41 pm: