Old Fashioned Broody Hen Hatch A Long and Informational Thread

[triplepurpose]

I've got some muscovies recently and am hoping to maybe down the line use on of the ducks to hatch some eggs from my chicken flock Presumably they will make good mothers because they come from a healthy, naturally raise flock with a little bit of feral blood mixed with the original white stock for good measure. Chicken-wise, I have a cute little landrace flock in the making (aka selected "mutts", to the pure-bred folks

), but so far haven't had enough broodiness in the flock for adequate replacement. So I'm hoping the ducks can help their poultry cousins by picking up the slack. Can anyone think of any reasons why this might not be a good idea (other than obvious common sense things like not letting the chicks get into the duck pond, etc.)? What I'd probably do is slip some chicken eggs along with at least a couple of duck eggs and then scoop up the chicks to a homemade brooder immediately after they hatch, leaving the ducklings that hatch to be raised by the duck--that way she wouldn't get too upset or discouraged when all of her "ducklings" get taken away.

I welcome any ideas, warnings, or suggestions from those who may have had experience along these lines... Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
The only problem i can see is Muscovies take 34-35 days to hatch chickens 21. so you'll have to be sure to monitor the hatch close and keep up with your dates to make sure the you get the chicks out so mama duck doesn't leave the duck eggs behind. Let us know how it turns out and of course pictures are a must. I haven't tried hatching ducks with chickens because my muscovies are such good broodies and so are my chickens. But it can be done.

 

[Jloeffler]

Quote:
Thank goodness it usually March before it gets crazy here. I am going to be getti ng some Lavender Muscovy eggs from a friend on BYC so hopefully one of my girls will be up for brooding

if one of my pekins go broody (my friend had a Pekin that did) I'll get some Indian Runner eggs from a guy across the border in Vermont. I want Runners!

If anyone is likely to have a broody Pekin it's you! How many broodys for this years tally?

 

[Jloeffler]

My JB mama is still going strong. The chick is about 4-5 weeks old. Yesterday the roo started chasing mama around again. She shook him off and he let her. I didn't think that would happen again so soon?

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I noticed when the roos started going after the broodys it wasn't long till mama said her goodbyes to her chicks, except for my frizzle she was able to hold them off the longest. She stayed with her chicks 12 weeks. I bet your chick is adorable are you keeping it since you are down to one?

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
I noticed when the roos started going after the broodys it wasn't long till mama said her goodbyes to her chicks, except for my frizzle she was able to hold them off the longest. She stayed with her chicks 12 weeks. I bet your chick is adorable are you keeping it since you are down to one?

My Red Sex Link is giving your frizzle a run for her money - 11 and a half weeks and she's still protecting them like mad!!!! (Her baby frizzle still demands it. The two obvious cockerels are actually bigger than her and still want her to defend them. Ridiculous. They were doing the family dust bath thing again today. Really, quite pathetic ....

)

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
I noticed when the roos started going after the broodys it wasn't long till mama said her goodbyes to her chicks, except for my frizzle she was able to hold them off the longest. She stayed with her chicks 12 weeks. I bet your chick is adorable are you keeping it since you are down to one?

My Red Sex Link is giving your frizzle a run for her money - 11 and a half weeks and she's still protecting them like mad!!!! (Her baby frizzle still demands it. The two obvious cockerels are actually bigger than her and still want her to defend them. They were doing the family dust bath thing again today. Really, quite pathetic ....

)

Thats funny the family dust bath, I know what your saying my frizzles kids were bigger than her when she finally gave them the boot, but she sure did love them. She would sit now if I let her she is such a good mommie. Are you still thinking the frizzle is a roo?

 

[SueSteeves]

Hello everyone! I have been following this thread for about a month now and it is great! I put some fertile eggs (dark brahma) that I got on ebay under my broody bantam cochin Spazz on 10/27 so I have hatch day on the 16th!!!! Three out of the six eggs seem to have developed the most. I tossed two that were clear on day 14. I put her in lockdown today and now I am on pins and needles! This is my first time with chicks and everyone here has been such a great resource. I have chick starter and grit ready to go....have all new bedding in the broody coop....am I missing anything? The next 48 hours are going to go by so slow, I can tell already.

C'mon chicks....the world is waiting for you and so am I

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
My Red Sex Link is giving your frizzle a run for her money - 11 and a half weeks and she's still protecting them like mad!!!! (Her baby frizzle still demands it. The two obvious cockerels are actually bigger than her and still want her to defend them. They were doing the family dust bath thing again today. Really, quite pathetic ....

)

Thats funny the family dust bath, I know what your saying my frizzles kids were bigger than her when she finally gave them the boot, but she sure did love them. She would sit now if I let her she is such a good mommie. Are you still thinking the frizzle is a roo?

I honestly don't know about my frizzle. Everything I know about large fowl says boy - VERY red comb and wattles. Not large comb and wattles but RED. The frizzle doesn't act like a boy (except for biting me once) but it IS the only bantam in the coop (26 birds in all.) I guess I'll know for sure when he/she either crows or lays an egg!!!

 

[Miss Lydia]

Quote:
Thats funny the family dust bath, I know what your saying my frizzles kids were bigger than her when she finally gave them the boot, but she sure did love them. She would sit now if I let her she is such a good mommie. Are you still thinking the frizzle is a roo?

I honestly don't know about my frizzle. Everything I know about large fowl says boy - VERY red comb and wattles. Not large comb and wattles but RED. The frizzle doesn't act like a boy (except for biting me once) but it IS the only bantam in the coop (26 birds in all.) I guess I'll know for sure when he/she either crows or lays an egg!!!

Sometimes they can fool ya. I hope you have a girl.