I have a hen that started out sitting on 18 eggs. She has been sitting them for three weeks, she started throwing out some eggs this week. Some of the eggs she discarded were not fertile, some had died in the eggs. She is down to 9 eggs, I'll let you know in a week how she does. Typically, Pekin...
I kept four Drakes without any females for several months. They will be fine together. When I got five females I had to get rid of two of my drakes to protect the females.
My duck has been taking eggs out of her nest. some of the eggs were not fertile and some seemed to be under developed. Somehow she knows. She is due to hatch in a week.
1 drake to 1 female will work, but would be better to have up to five females. She will build a nest on the ground, they will sometimes pick some high brush or a hollowed out tree. If you have a coop or duck house she may choose that. Sometimes they just lay on open ground until they find a spot...
Thanks, for the info. The last show I went to had all only one breed of large birds. I believe they were called White Faced Spanish? I was really hoping to see some Australorps.
I use ant killer on fire ants on our place. I put in on right at dark and water it in until all poison has dissolved. I have never had a problem with my ducks or chickens.
I give mine food 24/7 until they are around 8 weeks old. Adults I feed 1/2 cup each twice a day. My drakes free range 24/7 and my hens free range during the day. I believe they would eat constantly though.
I have regular pekin, I can shipped a dozen for $25.00 anywhere in us. My fertility rate this season has been just above 95%. My hatch rate has been 63%.