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Broody hens...

I have a hen who has decided to go broody. I think. I'm not sure if SHE's made up her mind yet. I found her laying on two dummy eggs that I keep in one of my nest boxes. She decided to spend the night there, so I gave her a clutch of eggs. She sat on those eggs all night long...and then got off of them in the morning and stayed off until later in the day. In the meantime, other hens sat on the nest...a few laid eggs there, a few didn't. I removed the newly laid eggs and figured that was that...but then Ms. Broody went back to the nest in the afternoon and stayed on it all afternoon and all night.

But then she got off again this morning...and didn't return until midday. Again...other hens sat on the nest for awhile.

In fact....when I went out to check on her...she was sitting on the two dummy eggs which I had moved to a different box.

I picked her up and put her on her correct nest and she hasn't moved since.

Do these eggs stand a chance? Is it normal for them to not know how this works the first time they try to set on a clutch of eggs?
 
Sweetpea3829 said:
Broody hens...
Do these eggs stand a chance? Is it normal for them to not know how this works the first time they try to set on a clutch of eggs?
Click to expand...
Normal for beginners ...some never figure it out ...I have one named looney...who goes from nest to nest ..
So they are 2 days old ? I would eat those eggs ..doubt they have started ...
.once she stays in that spot for a few days ....without moving then I would put new eggs under her..
She will be then ready to set for the 21 days ...
 
Sweetpea3829 said:
Broody hens...

I have a hen who has decided to go broody. I think. I'm not sure if SHE's made up her mind yet. I found her laying on two dummy eggs that I keep in one of my nest boxes. She decided to spend the night there, so I gave her a clutch of eggs. She sat on those eggs all night long...and then got off of them in the morning and stayed off until later in the day. In the meantime, other hens sat on the nest...a few laid eggs there, a few didn't. I removed the newly laid eggs and figured that was that...but then Ms. Broody went back to the nest in the afternoon and stayed on it all afternoon and all night.

But then she got off again this morning...and didn't return until midday. Again...other hens sat on the nest for awhile.

In fact....when I went out to check on her...she was sitting on the two dummy eggs which I had moved to a different box.

I picked her up and put her on her correct nest and she hasn't moved since.

Do these eggs stand a chance? Is it normal for them to not know how this works the first time they try to set on a clutch of eggs?
Click to expand...

You might also consider blocking the entrance to the nesting box with some wire, hardware cloth, etc; that way she can't get out & switch nests & other hens can't lay their eggs in there.
She's probably getting off the nest because when she gets off the "eliminate" and drink/eat, the other hens enter that nesting box. So, when she goes back, there's already a hen in there, who may peck or tell her to "stay away".
Those eggs might be ok, but I'd wait to see if she's serious before giving her too many.
 
Thanks guys! Her timing is pretty rotten. I had planned on moving any broody hens with eggs into the grow out pen and the nest boxes in there, which would presumably not have any chicks growing out at the time...lol. But I JUST moved the babies in there and they have taken over the nesting boxes. So I can't really move the hen just now. I'm going to keep an eye. The eggs I put under her were more or less "for fun" anyways. I wanted to hatch some olive eggers, but hubby told me I can't set any in the incubator for awhile because...well...chicken math and all. But he didn't say the hens couldn't hatch any for me!
 
Hello I am from the buffalo area. I am brand new to having a duck. A mother Mallard brought her babies into my pool and could not get them out put up a ramp and they all got safely back to mom except one. Wild life rescue in my area said to take this sweet baby to the SPCA. I would love for him to be able to go back into the wild but I donnot think that is going to happen. He's only been here 3 days and we love him to pieces but I think I farm our someone wanting a pet duck would be the best. I have dogs I don't think would do well with him and a baby due in 8 weeks that will take up my attention. I believe it's about 1-2 weeks old. If any one has any recommendations please let me know. I am brand new to this so I am sorry if I posted in the wrong place. Thanks
400
 
mdmcare said:
Hello I am from the buffalo area. I am brand new to having a duck. A mother Mallard brought her babies into my pool and could not get them out put up a ramp and they all got safely back to mom except one. Wild life rescue in my area said to take this sweet baby to the SPCA. I would love for him to be able to go back into the wild but I donnot think that is going to happen. He's only been here 3 days and we love him to pieces but I think I farm our someone wanting a pet duck would be the best. I have dogs I don't think would do well with him and a baby due in 8 weeks that will take up my attention. I believe it's about 1-2 weeks old. If any one has any recommendations please let me know. I am brand new to this so I am sorry if I posted in the wrong place. Thanks
400
Click to expand...

Welcome
@LadyHawkeAvry specializes in waterfowl, but may be preoccupied right now. A few others also have ducklings or broody momma ducks, so maybe he/she can join someone's flock. Being a Mallard, he/she will likely fly away when older.
 
mdmcare said:
Hello I am from the buffalo area. I am brand new to having a duck. A mother Mallard brought her babies into my pool and could not get them out put up a ramp and they all got safely back to mom except one. Wild life rescue in my area said to take this sweet baby to the SPCA. I would love for him to be able to go back into the wild but I donnot think that is going to happen. He's only been here 3 days and we love him to pieces but I think I farm our someone wanting a pet duck would be the best. I have dogs I don't think would do well with him and a baby due in 8 weeks that will take up my attention. I believe it's about 1-2 weeks old. If any one has any recommendations please let me know. I am brand new to this so I am sorry if I posted in the wrong place. Thanks
400
Click to expand...

I live south of Buffalo, come up to Spring ville to shop. I have ducks and a pond and could take the little duck.
 

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