Peahen doesn't sit

[showmestatebill]

I have 2 year old IB Peahen that has laid 10 eggs. 1 about every other day or so. However, she does not seem interested in sitting. Is it that she will lay more eggs or what? I must say that after she lays, she will spread some straw over the eggs. I think to hid them from the chickens. I have only 3 Road Island Reds which aren't broody. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

She is probably going to lay more eggs. If she bothers to hide them, she is broody, just not ready.

 

[zazouse]

Not all peahens will sit, some will never sit a day in their life others may sit every time they lay a clutch, you will need to get a good incubator and try to hatch them yourself IMO or eat them
She will keep laying even if she does not sit them , hope this helps.

 

[showmestatebill]

HG13, Originally I would find them one at a time in a depression she had made on the ground. Then the rains started. I made her a nest box out of a large rubber made tub. I drilled holes in the bottom and place a small amount of straw in with the eggs. She started using it exclusively. I have read as ZAZ mentioned that some will lay but never sit.

Well yesterday evening I found an eleventh egg. I had no idea she would lay this many is the reason for my post. I should also note that all the eggs are now lined in two rows and covered lightly with straw.

A curious observation when she first started laying. I could tell she was going to because I had noticed that before I found another egg she would be very agitated and would pace the fence back and forth. Since about #6 she doesn't do that anymore.

 

[DylansMom]

HG13, Originally I would find them one at a time in a depression she had made on the ground. Then the rains started. I made her a nest box out of a large rubber made tub. I drilled holes in the bottom and place a small amount of straw in with the eggs. She started using it exclusively. I have read as ZAZ mentioned that some will lay but never sit.

Well yesterday evening I found an eleventh egg. I had no idea she would lay this many is the reason for my post. I should also note that all the eggs are now lined in two rows and covered lightly with straw.

A curious observation when she first started laying. I could tell she was going to because I had noticed that before I found another egg she would be very agitated and would pace the fence back and forth. Since about #6 she doesn't do that anymore.

One year a pied hen I had laid 35 eggs in a row without taking a break. She had no interest in them and would lay them in different corners of her pen and from the perch. They can lay a lot more than 11. Usually as the laying goes on, the eggs will get a bit smaller and this may explain why she doesn't pace as much, the whole process may be a bit easier for her as the eggs get smaller.

 

[showmestatebill]

Hmmm I'll check. Thats a good point thx.

 

[zazouse]

HG13, Originally I would find them one at a time in a depression she had made on the ground. Then the rains started. I made her a nest box out of a large rubber made tub. I drilled holes in the bottom and place a small amount of straw in with the eggs. She started using it exclusively. I have read as ZAZ mentioned that some will lay but never sit.

Well yesterday evening I found an eleventh egg. I had no idea she would lay this many is the reason for my post. I should also note that all the eggs are now lined in two rows and covered lightly with straw.

A curious observation when she first started laying. I could tell she was going to because I had noticed that before I found another egg she would be very agitated and would pace the fence back and forth. Since about #6 she doesn't do that anymore.

Pacing is normal, All my hens free range so i get to observe them in their natural setting, what i have found is some of my younger hens will walk for an hour here and there panting all threw the day before they lay an egg, i think this helps them get ready to pass the egg , kinda like a other animals do before they deliver their baby once they are older i do not see it as much

 

[showmestatebill]

Thx this is my first experience being a PeagranPa. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.