Response to broody hen

Last summer I had a young red determined to sit on a batch of eggs. We left her alone to see what would happen and the last week she abandoned them ! The following week she tried to start another nest but I postponed that until she got a bit older. I also have a black hen that lays green eggs and she prefers to be off by herself. The other hens will come and lay in her nest and she will set on them. She is bound and determined to hatch out a batch! Last summer she did but another red tried claiming the chicks. I never saw anything like that before! Two hens trying to raise the chicks! I felt sorry for the black hen but they adjusted and both took on the job. They had a fit though when the baby chicks would go under the other hen for warmth. My hens are free ranging so I wasn't sure how to handle it. Anybody out there that has a good idea on what I should have done-feel free to reply.

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