im plagued at the moment by broody hens, i have one or two in every house so egg production has taken a big fall. i decided to take away eggs from any new broodys in the hope of breaking them, it worked so far...until now. i thought id broke a sussex hen who got broody over a single egg. every day i took the egg away (it was always anothers hens egg anyway) yet she'd still sit tight.so i did the wire cage trick..after three days it seemed to have work, so i let her back out in the field yesterday. well last night i notice my broody muscovy duck kicking up a storm in the field wanting to get back in her house but something was keeping her out, i thought a snake or cat or something, but no...it was the sussex hen, she'd kicked the duck off her eggs and nestled down to brood!!! i couldnt help but laugh! she didnt like me taking her off to let the duck back on but it had to be done... so today i go out to check...and she's back in there...but with the duck!!! they are squished up together on the one nest clucking and squeaking in time to each other. i guess i have no say in the matter anymore! on the plus side i have another broody on 10 eggs due to hatch tomorrow...should i take a few of the chicks and slide them under the broody.....?? she's determined but i want her back laying asap! if i skip out the 3 week broody time she should be back laying in about 8 weeks as the babies grow up..right?
I can't imagine a muscovy letting a hen keep her off her nest! She must be one persistent chicken. As for the questions, I have never dealt with broody hens and chicks but giving her a few of the other hen's hatch would probably work and she might be done with the chicks faster than 8 weeks.
I'd leave her be. Gonna serve her right when "her" babies hatch, head straight for the water and give her a heart attack.
This post just makes me smile..lol I would try giving her a chick or two to raise.. If not she might try to swim after her current babies
omg lol! She really is a determined little thing, I think she's a lost cause until she gets babies. Maybe she and the duck will divide the spoils, so to speak. By the way, please PLEASE post a picture of the two trying to out-brood each other!
