2 hens sharing the same box

FrizzleSilkies · **Joined:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:16 pm **Posts:** 6

have a frizzles that are sharing the same box and the same eggs my concern is with 2 hens will the eggs be over heated? What are my chances of success do you think?

FrizzleSilkies · **Joined:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:16 pm **Posts:** 6

Sorry that should say I have a frizzles that are sharing the same box and the same eggs my concern is with 2 hens will the eggs be over heated? What are my chances of success do you think?

Roova · **Posted:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 5:21 pm

The eggs won't be overheated. The heat from the hens doesn't double because there are two of them - there's just more body warmth to go around

The temperature of the hens will be exactly what is needed to incubate and hatch the eggs presuming fertility and everything else is already there.

You may have a problem when the eggs hatch though. No matter how well they are getting along sitting site by side, jealousy from one of the hens if an egg hatches under the other hen can cause fighting and chickens are often killed in the process. You could risk it and see how you go, but to ensure the chickens are given 100% chance of being successfully hatched and raised each broody should have her own spot and own eggs. You might simply separate the hens with a large piece of cardboard if thats all you can do.

Were the eggs laid by one hen only or both? How many eggs do they have between them and what breed/size of chooks are sitting? Did the incubation start at the same time or do you have eggs moving back and forth between them and hatch date possibly all over the place?

Do you have two separate penned areas ready so the broodies can stay separate with their own brood of chickens? You need to be prepared now so you aren't caught unawares if you do leave them together and fighting starts when hatching starts. The maternal instinct can be very strong and hens which once got along can be enraged by that same chook when she has chickens to protect. In saying that they might be fine together but don't presume they will be.

You will need to be very on the ball on hatch date to avert a disaster if you do leave them together.

Good luck and I hope you have a good hatch rate and end up with lots of fuzzies

FatChooks · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:04 am

I get this problem regularly and as roova said its when the eggs hatch you will have trouble you need to take out 1 of the hens and put her on her own with some of the eggs so that way you have them both still siting just not together and that way you won't have them fighting when the chicks hatch

Fluffy_Feet · **Posted:** Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:40 pm

in saying that though i had a belgian and a pekin go broody together and they both raised the babys it was quite humorous.. when one needed a break the other took over... I think they knew what they were doing

teen poultry · **Joined:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:59 pm **Posts:** 7

Thats neat I wish mine would help each other out they pick on the mums with chicks and I have lost some that way

FrizzleSilkies · **Joined:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:16 pm **Posts:** 6

Ok today I moved one of the frizzles into a rabbit hutch with some eggs and she sat down on them straight away so far both are happy to sit on their own. Thanks for the guidance and help thank you

youridreezen · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 8:05 pm

teen poultry wrote:

Thats neat I wish mine would help each other out they pick on the mums with chicks and I have lost some that way

broodys with chicks should NEVER be in a pen with the other chooks, you are asking for a fight.

regards

yuori.

teen poultry · **Joined:** Wed Mar 17, 2010 4:59 pm **Posts:** 7

yeh thats what happens and sometimes I find dead chicks I wasn't told not to take them out but I will now

FrizzleSilkies · **Joined:** Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:16 pm **Posts:** 6

What age can you put them back with the rest?

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