- Jun 28, 2013
- 3
- 1
- 50
I have a small flock of 20 chickens, 2 guinea hens, and 5 ducks (2 male, 3 female). 4 of the ducks were re-homed to our hobby farm this past spring, and they range in age from 2-6 years old. The two females we adopted have both tried to go broody in the pasture, but one is lazy and abandoned her endeavor after a week and a half. The oldest one brooded for 4 week, as far away up the pasture fence as she could from everyone else. Unfortunately, we noticed in the last week, something was burrowing under the fence and stealing an egg or two every night. Two days before hatching was due, her last egg disappeared.
Well, MJ is now sitting on a new nest. 15 eggs. And she is once again up against a fence. Out by the road. She's about 600 ft away from the rest of the flock. And by my calculations.....she's due to hatch out while we're on vacation. (Of course, she is.)
So...how can I prepare for her to keep her babies alive? I've brooder chicks a few times, with great success. I've never done ducks. And never in the pasture. I've added a pig panel (16 ft section of fence) outside the horse fencing that makes up our perimeter. I've added a tarp over her to protect her from the current downpours West Georgia is experiencing. I'll add a pan of 20% unmedicated chick feed to her food plan while we're gone (friends will come daily to feed and water everyone). Her current open bowl of water will be changed out for a chicken waterer so the ducklings can't swim in it. What else?
Will she keep them warm underneath her? Do they need a wooden house to go into? Should I make a complete pen around her with pig panels so she doesn't run them to death all over the pasture?
And ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.
Well, MJ is now sitting on a new nest. 15 eggs. And she is once again up against a fence. Out by the road. She's about 600 ft away from the rest of the flock. And by my calculations.....she's due to hatch out while we're on vacation. (Of course, she is.)
So...how can I prepare for her to keep her babies alive? I've brooder chicks a few times, with great success. I've never done ducks. And never in the pasture. I've added a pig panel (16 ft section of fence) outside the horse fencing that makes up our perimeter. I've added a tarp over her to protect her from the current downpours West Georgia is experiencing. I'll add a pan of 20% unmedicated chick feed to her food plan while we're gone (friends will come daily to feed and water everyone). Her current open bowl of water will be changed out for a chicken waterer so the ducklings can't swim in it. What else?
Will she keep them warm underneath her? Do they need a wooden house to go into? Should I make a complete pen around her with pig panels so she doesn't run them to death all over the pasture?
And ideas would be GREATLY appreciated.
