Chomskyrabbit
In the Brooder
- May 19, 2018
- 7
- 11
- 29
Hi!
I had some doubt, five days ago, that my two hens were preparing to lay. They were trying to grasp any straw that they saw and they were trying to dig into a corner of their pen. I put a box (very simple one) on top of the hole they seemed to be preparing and added hay + branches to their pens. I change their water every day and when I showed up yesterday, there was an egg in the nest!
I came back this morning, and there was a second egg in there!
I am not equipped to hatch these eggs myself and I would let both hens go broody. They have a nice pen, they are inside the barn, with plenty of light from outside. They don't have much stress factors, except when I come feed them where they go spot the eggs and come back to snatch some clovers. I have separated the two hens + the drake in their pen, while keeping my callducks in another one, to reduce stress furthermore. The drake is currently protective but not pestering the girls. If it degenerates, I will isolate him also.
Do you have any tips for a first time duck owner and for 2 first timers hens? Would you let them both get broody over the set of eggs? Do you add anything to their feed (they are fed purina waterfowl and get two handfuls of laying feed a day. They have clovers and grass every day, with the occasional insects. They have niacin every week) All ducks have their bath in permanence in their pens, and it changed twice a day, as this is their drinking water. They do not drink elsewhere (read that, they refused to).
Thank you!
I had some doubt, five days ago, that my two hens were preparing to lay. They were trying to grasp any straw that they saw and they were trying to dig into a corner of their pen. I put a box (very simple one) on top of the hole they seemed to be preparing and added hay + branches to their pens. I change their water every day and when I showed up yesterday, there was an egg in the nest!
I came back this morning, and there was a second egg in there!
I am not equipped to hatch these eggs myself and I would let both hens go broody. They have a nice pen, they are inside the barn, with plenty of light from outside. They don't have much stress factors, except when I come feed them where they go spot the eggs and come back to snatch some clovers. I have separated the two hens + the drake in their pen, while keeping my callducks in another one, to reduce stress furthermore. The drake is currently protective but not pestering the girls. If it degenerates, I will isolate him also.
Do you have any tips for a first time duck owner and for 2 first timers hens? Would you let them both get broody over the set of eggs? Do you add anything to their feed (they are fed purina waterfowl and get two handfuls of laying feed a day. They have clovers and grass every day, with the occasional insects. They have niacin every week) All ducks have their bath in permanence in their pens, and it changed twice a day, as this is their drinking water. They do not drink elsewhere (read that, they refused to).
Thank you!
