PrettyCoolChicks
Songster
Oh thanks, great idea to check where she is before I go to bed as well as when I put them to bed.I wouldn't worry about it being out for 30 min. I agree it is like a broody taking a break.
hmmmmm are you sure she isn't going up and roosting after you put the others to bed? I would maybe go check just to be sure if you are going to be giving her babies or eggs (sorry I can't remember but I thought you were going to give her the eggs that hatched?)
You're right, if I am confident she will take them, I will give her the babies, but this time they'll be confined to half the coop with no access to the roosts, separated from other birds and I'll have a heat plate as backup. If I end up raising ducklings in the house like the first trio, well at this point, so be it.
Candled again today: there is definite movement and veins in two of the eggs. The third egg, maybe movement, not so much veins so either it's quitting or I can't see well enough. I'm not optimistic but I'll leave it in until I'm sure and candle again tomorrow night.