Encouraging peahen to continue laying

[old biddy]

My peahen, Anastasia, has finally started laying. She now has two eggs in her nest. I would like to give two of my broody hens some of my peachick eggs to hatch. I would like to know the best procedure for removing the eggs from the peahen nest to the broody hen nest. My goal is to encourage the peahen to continue laying as many eggs as she can this season. Should I remove each egg as soon as it is laid? Or let them accumulate at least a few before removing from the peahen nest? Any advice?

 

[sourland]

@casportpony, advice ? I would be tempted to remove the eggs as laid so that the peahen does not feel that she has completed a clutch. That is what a lady that I hatched for used to do, but I have little experience with peafowl.

 

[casportpony]

Yes, remove peahen eggs as she lays them and she will lay on and off until the end of the season. If you don't remove them she might go broody after 4-8 eggs.

 

[old biddy]

Thanks guys. That is what I will do. I am thinking of giving the first 4 eggs to a broody hen that just started sitting. Should I store the two eggs I have until the next two are laid so I can give them all to her at once? If so, how should I store the eggs so they remain viable?

 

[KsKingBee]

Thanks guys. That is what I will do. I am thinking of giving the first 4 eggs to a broody hen that just started sitting. Should I store the two eggs I have until the next two are laid so I can give them all to her at once? If so, how should I store the eggs so they remain viable?

I store mine on egg turners until I am ready to set. I set eggs weekly.

 

[old biddy]

I store mine on egg turners until I am ready to set. I set eggs weekly.

I will be turning them by hand (no egg turner) so how often per day should I turn them?

 

[KsKingBee]

I will be turning them by hand (no egg turner) so how often per day should I turn them?

No less than twice per day. More is better as long as you are not drying out the incubator, every time you open the door the humidity is let out.