My peahen was found setting on 6 eggs not in a completely protected area (no roof inside the coup and we have foxes and other predators that could find a way in). She made her nest inside of a rosemary bed. Within the first few days that we found her eggs (she came out for food) we moved her and her nest to her protected enclosure but she would have nothing to do with the eggs and paced for several hours. My husband let her out, moved her eggs back to her original spot, and she roosted with her mate that night. Next day she sat on her eggs, and has been continuing to set since...it has been about 25-27 days now setting. But meanwhile, predators are roaming more frequently, and I heard her sqwak early this am, I ran outside and heard something in her toploss enclosed area and it did run away. She was upset and off her eggs for a couple of hours, I thought she abandoned the nest but finally she went back to set.
Question 1: how much time can eggs go without mom setting? 1 full night in the beginning went without her, then this morning about 2 hours (it was cold too this morning about 55 degrees - i finally put a heating pad on the eggs and she yelled at me and chased me away and then sat on them).
I am not sure if the eggs even have anything happening, and I don't want to lose my pea hen to a predator (we already lost one this season as she nested outside the coup somewhere
). Which leads to...
Question 2: if we try to move her again back to her safe pen, will she eventually set if we keep her locked in, or should we pen her up where she is with chicken wire until (hopefully) the chicks hatch?
Just trying to figure out the best option, i know that predator will be back for her tonight.
Thank you for any suggestions.
Question 1: how much time can eggs go without mom setting? 1 full night in the beginning went without her, then this morning about 2 hours (it was cold too this morning about 55 degrees - i finally put a heating pad on the eggs and she yelled at me and chased me away and then sat on them).
I am not sure if the eggs even have anything happening, and I don't want to lose my pea hen to a predator (we already lost one this season as she nested outside the coup somewhere
Question 2: if we try to move her again back to her safe pen, will she eventually set if we keep her locked in, or should we pen her up where she is with chicken wire until (hopefully) the chicks hatch?
Just trying to figure out the best option, i know that predator will be back for her tonight.
Thank you for any suggestions.
