Broody hen hatching peafowl question/broody question in general!

[Wolf-Kim]

I currently have a Mottled Java hen sitting on some peafowl eggs for me.(I didn't trust my incubator for the job! LOL) I've also recently acquired some ducks.

So my question is, I want the hen to incubate the peachicks to hatch and hopefully even hatch them. But! My incubator is in use hatching quail and chicks, and I think I want to hatch some ducks.

So, can I allow this hen to actually hatch out these peachicks and take the eggs/peachicks as they are hatching and still be left with a broody hen? Or, do I need to remove the eggs BEFORE they even begin hatching to keep her broody, so I am able to place some duck eggs under her.

Would it be more beneficial to the peachicks to allow the hen to raise them? I have planned to allow her to hatch them and then take them from her, so I can raise them on wire in a more controlled environment... The hen is on wire now, but the pen is only 2-3' X 5', seems big but I'm sure it gets small quick with a hen who's sat on her behind for 4 weeks and (HOPEFULLY

) four rambunctious peachicks.

I'm hoping it will be better to let her have the pea eggs until hatch, then take them as they are hatching or drying, then place the duck eggs(or golf balls) under her to keep her in her oh-so-hopeful broody mood. That way, she can raise the ducklings and I can raise the peafowl.

I've dealt with broody hens before, but never actually using them as a living incubator.

I know, I know, I am rambling. I just get so excited!

-Kim

 

[CoopCrazy]

bump

 

[jamieneenah]

i too would love to know the answer to these questions.
jamie

 

[Rafter 7 Paint Horses]

I don't know how healthy it would be for your hen to stay broody for that length of time.
Nature gives them a break while they raise their chicks, before going broody again.

I also don't know if she will stay on a nest once the eggs start hatching, for you to put fresh eggs under her.
I believe hens have a clock inside them, and most will abandon the nest if they think nothing will hatch. Some will kick the eggs out of the nest also, if they think it has been too long so they don't contaminate the nest for the ones they feel will hatch.
Now, of course there are exceptions to this as always...we've had hens almost set themselves to death trying to hatch everyone's eggs.

So, I'm not sure if it would be a good idea to try to get her to set on another clutch of eggs back to back.

This is just my opinion, and others may have more insight to your question.

Jean

 

[CAranchgirl]

I am not entirely sure because I have never actually taken chicks away, but I have had a hen whose had two chicks hatch that died shortly after, and she continued brooding on her other eggs which turned out not to be fertile. So if they are taken away it could be similar instincts and she will keep sitting?

Personally I think the peachicks would like to be raised by a mother hen, just because it is more natural, and people say that the mother communicates with the chicks before they hatch. I have hatched peachicks under a hen and chicken eggs under a peahen

and they all loooved their adopted mothers. But if you take them away I don't see any real harm. Maybe another one of your hens will go broody and you can just put the duck eggs under her

and won't have to worry!

Good luck and hope this is somewhat helpful!

 

[IggiMom]

I know this is just a subjective thing, but when I ask a hen to hatch eggs, I think it is only fair to let her keep the babies and raise them.

And I believe the babies do a little better with a Mom, too.

But this is just me.

Catherine

 

[DANNY]

I would take the eggs and put them in the bator right at hatch time. If you let them hatch under it may make her mad when you take them and she will quit the nest. I do this all the time up to 3 clutches. I just monitor their weight and make sure they don't get skinny.

 

[Robert G]

Wow, I would think the hen would get seriously underweight staying broody that long. A peachick takes about 28 to 30 days to hatch and chicks only take 21. So sitting an extra week to me is pushing it and you want another 28 to 30 days for ducks? To each their own, but in my opinion that's too much.