Broody chicken taking Broody Pekin Ducks eggs

[DucknChicken]

Hi,

I have a very broody pekin duck (Betsy) and a very broody chicken (Bombay). I have no rooster therefore my chickens eggs aren't fertile. The duck has been sitting on about 12 fertile eggs for a couple of weeks and now the chicken has set up a nest right next to Betsy. The chicken has now taken all of Betsy's eggs into her nest and Betsy is still sitting on 'nothing'. What should I do??? I was going to get some fertile eggs for Bombay to sit on - do you think that would be the best solution so Betsy can sit on her own eggs again?

Thanks in advance.
Deb

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi, it may be problematic to have two birds raising chicks at the same time if you do not have the appropriate set up to accommodate the two groups separately - this is my thought for chickens at least - maybe other members may have more to add in light of chicken and ducks.

All the best in whatever you decide

Ct

 

[DucknChicken]

thanks for the feedback CTKen, definitely food for thought. THey all usually live in the same house so I'm thinking I might create two large nesting boxes in the house and move their nests over so they are separated….will that be ok do you think?

 

[Pork Pie]

You are welcome. Your plan seems fine but perhaps more crucially is what provisions you put in place once the chicks grow and need more space. I have no experience with ducks but for the chickens I would think they will need to be separated for 4 to 6 weeks before they are less likely to be attacked by the other mother.

To be honest it's not a route I would go down. One mother with chicks is less hassle and likely to be more successful.

Good luck on whatever route you choose

Ct