Mama hens playing musical chairs

[lonna]

So I have a buff Orphington and an Australorp that have been "setting" for 2 weeks now. They are right next to each other in the laying boxes. The strange thing is that they keep switching back and forth between the boxes. It is so random. Not everyday... But every few days or so. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Quail Keeper]

I've heard of some hens sharing babies... they could also be sharing eggs....

 

[chickydee64]

So I have a buff Orphington and an Australorp that have been "setting" for 2 weeks now. They are right next to each other in the laying boxes. The strange thing is that they keep switching back and forth between the boxes. It is so random. Not everyday... But every few days or so. Any thoughts on this?

I have had hens do that.and when the eggs hatched they shared responsibilities.
It was of interest to me that they would have the chicks together and co-mom them during the day but at night
the chicks seemed to now which hen was their mom and go to tht hen to tuck up.

 

[rkalgren]

We have had hens share nests and responsibility.