Hens go broody when you don’t want them to… and won’t go broody when you do. Recent content by MV Chicks
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Old Fashion Broody Duck Thread 2015 Edition
We have 3 broody ducks (Daisy, Daphne and Della). It all started on 3/3/15. We had 2 ducklings born and then one disappeared. Can't find body. Don't have any idea what happened. The lone survivor is running around and even went in the water yesterday w/ mama. This morning Della got up and I saw... -
Post your Duck names!
Two babies so far. Offspring of Daisy and Della. This is so exciting. And, its my husband's birthday too! -
Post your Duck names!
I have one drake (Doc Seuss) and 4 girls ( Daisy, Daphne, Dolly and Della). Daisy and Daphne are currently sitting on eggs. Daphne helps out occasionally since it it still pretty cold here. Babies are arriving. I can hear them, but can't see. I like to name my ducks starting with D. Any... -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
Went out this morning and although she has been sitting on the eggs some of the time, they feel cold most of the time. I'm beginning to think its time to take them away. If I do, will she get the urge to go broody again when she sees them gone? -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
The broody is a mallard. The eggs are a combo of (father) mallard and (mothers) mallard, blue runner, welsh harlequin and khaki campbell. Yes, these are the eggs I washed. I used plain mountain water heated to 100 degrees. Around the time that (I thought) they were all due she rolled two out... -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
UPDATE..............We now have 6 eggs left in the nest. Today is day 36. When I candle them they look very full of bird w/ an air pocket at the end. I can't tell if there is movement or not. She did have 8 eggs in the nest. Two went missing. I'm guessing she ate them? They are nowhere... -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
Goes to show how you learn what you live. Everything is going swimmingly today...pun intended. Mom is still on the nest. She came out in the pen and protested a little about not being out with them rest, but then went back inside on the nest. She still has her swim pan so at this point all... -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
They have a plastic concrete mixing pan. Its only about 4" deep. Its what they swim in during winter so she's used to it. I made stairs going in and out with bricks. I haven't seen mama forcing them to swim yet. Babies are even drinking from it, so all seems good. -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
The dried stuff on them smelled rotten too. They would have been better off with that still on there? So much to learn :( -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
She's back on the nest now. I've given back her swim pan and will be watching for potential drownings. She has had access to food and water the whole time. She has just been deprived of her swimming water since the chickens were born 13 days ago. It has been hot here in Vermont and its been... -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
Oops, just looked at the clock.. time is flying. She has been out longer than 2 hrs. More like 4. Is that a problem? -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
Yep, that was the plan, to take away the chicks once the ducks hatched. That way she wouldn't feel like she has no babies at all. She is out and about today in her pen, bathing etc. She's been out for about 2 hrs now so I'm wondering if she has abandoned the nest at this point. She saw me... -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
Well I tried candeling and they all looked dark inside. So, i cracked one open and there was a baby duck inside. It wasn't moving. It was kinda bloody. I feel sooooo awful.. Did I kill it? I'm at a loss. :( -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
Its no wonder she acted distressed when there was no swim pan and she couldn't get out of her area. I feel awful depriving her of something so vital. -
Does a broody duck "need" to have swim time to cool down before heading back to the nest?
No I haven't candled. This is the first time I've had a broody. Mama growls at me when I go too near her and now she is always on the nest. She bit me during the first week, while she was in a trance and I was trying to show her food. She rolled two rotten eggs out of the nest today. One...