3 Turkeys and a Chicken are driving me CRAZY! (Pic)

[kuntrygirl]

This is what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Why do all 3 hens AND this chicken feel the need to share 1 nest of chicken eggs, turkey eggs, duck eggs and goose eggs. Each one steals the eggs from the other one. This happens every day. They have broken so many turkey eggs

by doing this. I have tried to break them from being broody but they keep going back into the chicken house. I can't close the chicken house because this is where all of the birds go to lay eggs. I can't pen the girls up anywhere because ALL of the pens are occupied with mamas and their babies. Every single unit on my property is filled. I'm about to pull my hair out of my head.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to break these broody hens, please let me know.

 

[ColbyNTX]

Maybe after they break all the eggs they will stop!

What a pain!

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Quote:

Send them to my house?

Looks like they are trying to brood the chicken.




No, I have no good plan for you. Two of our goosey girls, when they go broody - it is always "together". They also steal eggs from under each other but luckily when the goslings hatch, they share the momma duties.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

lol that stubborn little chicken is determined to keep her spot!

 

[MissTurkey4]

Collect the eggs several times a day. That helps alot. If you want a hen to hatch them, build a small brooding box where they can sit without any interuptions. Mine never break a egg if they are alone.

 

[MikeG]

I had the same problem. 2 black spanish turkeys and one golden comet setting on 8+ BS eggs. Several broke but I just cleaned up and let them in the coop. The first turkey hatched on Sunday. Question is when will the others hatch?

I know its not the answer you were looking for...

I did break them up earlier in the Spring but I just kicked the whole flock out of the coop for an entire day; then tried to just let the non-broody girls back in at night. The broodys stayed in a protected hoophouse roost but weren't able to set. They were brood broke in 36 hours.

 

[gotta have my peeps!]

I feel for you -- but have to love your picture. They are quite the foursome!

 

[Denninmi]

Maybe, in addition to gathering eggs as often as possible, you could give them some artificial eggs, either ceramic or weighted plastic ones, to brood. Perhaps that will satisfy them.

 

[bryan99705]

Can you shrink the entrasnce to the chicken's area? My RIRs will slip thru a 6x6 opening and enjoy doing it

 

[NYRIR]

Kuntrygirl....They are cute...sorry...I know you are frustrated with them right now...but take a minute, and just LOOK at that pic! Lol....They are cute

Sorry I'm no help....but had to comment on that pic