Co-pilot hen to broody chicken

[Goddess Purpurea]

I’ve had chickens for a long time but I’ve never seen this behaviour before…. One of my year old barnaveldas has gone broody which is normal, but for some reason the 4 year old red sex link chook has decided to co-parent with her. So the broody is on her eggs and the red is spooning the broody. She looks after the eggs when the broody Barnavelda has her daily break and cuddles into the Barnavelda the rest of the time. The broody doesn’t let any other chickens near the eggs. It’s just bizarre! Has anyone else experienced such a thing? The rooster stays out of the way and the red chook isn’t acting like a rooster. More like a co-pilot hen ( assistant to broody)

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

I haven’t experienced this myself, but i know lots of others on BYC have, hopefully they will know more.

 

[fluffycrow]

Co-brooding is not an uncommon behaviour in many groups/flocks, including some of mine.

Although it does pose some added risks (if one of the two broodies turns out not to be a good broody or mother), it also has a lot of benefits. Seems like your two have found a routine, and are making it work. Keep an eye on them, and see how it goes. If the original broody is accepting of the other one, odds are it will go well, but you’ll know for sure when the chicks hatch.

Good luck!

 

[Shadrach]

It’s just bizarre! Has anyone else experienced such a thing?

Sure, it's not that uncommon. This was a three way brooding spread over two nests. I've had a few two ways.
The brown hen was prone to forgetting she had any chicks. The other two were more reliable.