Broody Hen question

[jodie3]

I have a trio of silkies and both the girls have gone broody and are happily sharing six eggs.

Should I seperate them or will they share the care of the chicks if any hatch?

Also, should I take the cockerel out? I could make up another group of hens so he has some company while his wives are occupied with impending motherhood.

Many thanks in advance.

Jo

 

[Clodagh]

Some people leave them together and say they are fine - both hens I mean. The time I tried it they fought over the newly hatched chicks, killing one by standing on it and then the dominant hen took them all and the underdog hen got left anyway. So, if you can I would seperate them.
Some cockerels make great Dad's and feed the chicks, some aren't so good but I have never had one that hurts them. As long as he isn't tormenting the hens when they get up to eat you could leave him in, but he might prefer more...ummm..active partners if you can provide them!

 

[jodie3]

Thank you Clodagh - that is what I was worried about with the hens. They are fine at the moment although they do seem to swop the eggs between themselves so might be safer seperated. Although just had a lightbulb moment and could take one hen and all six eggs out and leave the other hen and Bertie together - all problems solved!

 

[Caramac71]

I have 3 Pekin hens that have always insisted on sharing and have successfully raised many broods. They always swapped eggs around (once I found one hen trying to cover 14 eggs while the other 2 had none!). I've always kept a very close eye on them and as long as there were enough eggs and chicks to go round, they were fine. I did have one time when only 2 chicks hatched and there ws some squabbling, and I ended up having to separate and leave just one hen with the chicks. But the rest of the time it was just lovely to see lots of chicks with their three mummies! I've always left the cockerel with the rest of the flock although he would probably have been fine with the broodies. He has been known to help out with egg sitting from time to time

 

[Alexart]

I'd seperate one off with the eggs and stick in a rat proof run, the amount of fighting and squabbling and faffing with the eggs, and sometimes chicks, can mean the eggs get crushed or occasionally left out and die or they trample the chicks when they hatch and you can end up with none at all.
Cockerels rarely attack chicks but can squash them if you have a particularly randy little ****** who is determined to get the hen and all hell can break loose and little fluffies get caught up in it all!! Once they are fast enough and big enough to get out the way they are fine to back with the rest as long as their pen is rat proof as rats are a pain for stealing chicks out from under hens at night.

 

[Ladyinred]

Thank you Clodagh - that is what I was worried about with the hens. They are fine at the moment although they do seem to swop the eggs between themselves so might be safer seperated. Although just had a lightbulb moment and could take one hen and all six eggs out and leave the other hen and Bertie together - all problems solved!

Exactly what I was about to suggest!! You could even put her in a rabbit hutch or similar while she is brooding, she won't want to get off the eggs other than to eat and drink so she will be fine.