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

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would pull the chicken off the eggs, hopefully the duck will take them back, then either give the chicken one or two, get the chicken her own or break the chicken from her broodiness, personally I would remove the chicken to a wire bottom crate and break her unless you want to hatch some chicks.

 

[DucknChicken]

thanks oldhenlikesdogs, I am getting some fertile chicken eggs tomorrow so will get Bombay off the duck eggs and hope for the best. They are both sitting side by side so I think Betsy will go back on the eggs - she is really really broody and pants every time we go near her - so does the chicken - they are both really protective. I have never let them sit on eggs before so it's all a new experience for me - we have always incubated the eggs - very exciting

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like lots of fun, I have only naturally hatched everyone. Good luck for lots of healthy babies.

 

[DucknChicken]

@ oldhenlikesdogs, have you had two broody hens side by side before without anything between them? This is how my girls have situated themselves….I'm a bit worried it'll be overcrowded once they all hatch (12 ducks and 12 chics)…albeit they won't be at the same time

 

[aart]

Hard to say what could/will happen in this situation.
I'd be nervous because the chicken is already interfering with the duck and it could lead to real problems.

Might want to browse and ask your question in the Broody Hen thread.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally put a ring of hardware cloth fencing around my floor sitting broodies when I notice they are hatching to keep anyone from wandering off, and I will keep them in this wire ring with food and water for about a week before beginning to let them out, returning to the ring at night if necessary, so I would have two rings of wire available to use.