Broody Duck Hen

[DuckWhisperer06]

I’m 95% sure our Pekin is broody, she’s been on her ‘nest’ for a few days now and she gets very defensive when I try to collect the eggs.

She doesn’t have any eggs and she’s still sitting on the nest.

Can I block off the door and put food and water in the ‘house’? She still comes out every now and then to eat and drink, then she goes back to sitting.

I’ve seen other threads for chickens where they are put in dog crates, but I thought that was for breaking broody hens?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Once they go full blown broody they will sit even if there are no eggs. I'd try and break her by removing the box she is in and blocking her from going in. If she isn't going to hatch why have her sit 28 days on nothing? Then again she may not quit My Muscovy's won't but worth a try so she doesn't get run down. Or get her some fertile eggs. she is sure a pretty thing sitting there smiling. Or is that the stink eye? lol

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hard call but if she is still sitting by the time you leave maybe try with a few and see what happens. But I think I'd give her something to sit on. Just to seal the deal. Or just give them all to her before you leave if she is sitting tight on fake ones. You can buy fake eggs at most craft store. and online. Or just give her fresh and change out every few days so they don't begin to develop .

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

So you’re saying I should give her new eggs every few days or give her fake eggs just to make sure she’s broody?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am saying that may keep her going. Until you decide to give her the ones from the bator. That way you'll have assurance she is going to stay the course. If you give her fake and or real and she gets up and quits before you leave then you'll not have wasted your eggs in the bator. Also make sure she is in a secure place while brooding that no one can go in a harass her.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

I let them out to free range and she decided to sit on her eggs rather than steal the chicken’s food like the rest of the ducks.

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

How often can she come off the nest for it to be considered normal?

 

[DuckWhisperer06]

I think she’s done.

I went out this morning and she was off the nest, and the eggs were cold.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Well at least you now know. Lol I went out this morning to let everyone out and I have a Muscovy sitting up on the poop board squeaking like crazy saying she is broody and not one egg under her. But we have ducklings and chicks running around so she has caught the broody bug 2nd hand

 

[chickens really]

No...With a Duck you destroy the nest and block her from returning to it. She will break in a few days..