Peahen Not Leaving Nest

[bdfive]

It's been 10 days and I swear one of my peahens is not leaving her nest to eat, drink and poo. I'm out at the pens several times a day including morning and late in the afternoon. I've always been fortunate enough to see them off but not this time. Are there cases where they will literally die attending their eggs? I've wanted to remove the eggs to the incubator because I believe they may not be fertile..... OR with a dark thick blanket over my head candle a couple when she's off but haven't had the chance. I've gone close and get the swollen body and hissing. I hate to manually move her. How do I do it if it becomes necessary? She is my IB Silver Pied White-eye. Don't want anything to happen to her. Thanks much!

 

[FireTigeris]

I've never heard of any bird dying on the nest attending eggs, she's just sneaky I guess.

 

[Arbor]

I've had pheasant hens never leave the nest until after hatch, and she has no problem with it.

 

[FireTigeris]

One of my broody will set 10-12 of the days w/o moving in a trance- then POOP and eat for a couple hours then run back to the nest... for the rest of her time.

The other gets up every day to take care of business and stay feed, she's the one 'aware' of me and growling when I try to collect eggs.

 

[MinxFox]

I wouldn't be too worried. I would just leave her alone. If she is hungry or thirsty she probably will leave the nest especially since the food and water is provided for her so she doesn't even have to search for it. Maybe she just doesn't want to leave the nest when you are there. My peahen Ice was weird about getting of the nest with me around. She didn't like me to see her eggs and one time when she got up to drink and noticed I was looking at her eggs she came running back to get on her nest. Just keep an eye on her and you could put food and water next to her if you are concerned. We did that for Ice so the other peafowl wouldn't be able to mess with her eggs. Ice hatched out all three of her eggs and has been a great mommy.