Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[JadeComputerGal]

So I think our Duck may be going broody? I am not sure. She is not sitting on the eggs yet. Every morning when I go to collect everyone eggs I have to uncover them. I am leaving the Ducks eggs just to see if she is going broody. Once she sits on them I am going to replace them with Chicken eggs. She isn't really hanging with the other Ducks like she usually does and I notice she does get upset when you go near the Coop she doesnt attack but she keeps her mouth open and knd of does a biting action in the air at you...is she going broody??

Sounds like she might be. Khakis aren't usually the best mothers, but it does happen. How many eggs are in her nest now? Hens in general won't sit on their nest until they have whatever number of eggs there that they're satisfied with, and that can vary a lot depending on the breed and even the individual hen.

 

[kada6305]

Sounds like a broody to me! I have little experience, but I remember Roseschicks ducky acting the same way. She was even sitting on a wood block she found and put in her nest.

She isn't sittign on them yet but she is guardign the coop. Sticking close by and doing the air biting thing at anyone who goes in. She isnt with the flock anymore.

Sounds like she might be. Khakis aren't usually the best mothers, but it does happen. How many eggs are in her nest now? Hens in general won't sit on their nest until they have whatever number of eggs there that they're satisfied with, and that can vary a lot depending on the breed and even the individual hen.

She has 9 eggs in her nest right now. I think they usually wait until they have about 16 eggs? I never had a broody that actually hatched anythign out. Our Mallard went broody for a few days and would just steal everyones eggs as they laid them. She would roll them into her nest. But she evntually jsut got up so this time I am going to put her in a different coop so nobody distrupts her, She will still be able to get out to eat/drink with the flock if she choses.

 

[JadeComputerGal]

She isn't sittign on them yet but she is guardign the coop. Sticking close by and doing the air biting thing at anyone who goes in. She isnt with the flock anymore.

She has 9 eggs in her nest right now. I think they usually wait until they have about 16 eggs? I never had a broody that actually hatched anythign out. Our Mallard went broody for a few days and would just steal everyones eggs as they laid them. She would roll them into her nest. But she evntually jsut got up so this time I am going to put her in a different coop so nobody distrupts her, She will still be able to get out to eat/drink with the flock if she choses.

How many eggs the hen will think warrant her attention varies with the breeds and even the individual hen. It can range between 8-18, though I've heard people say they've had ducks that sit on 4-6. I'd just give her some time.

That surprises me about your Mallard, and good idea to move her. Mallards tend to be one of the best mothers, so something would typically have to happen to cause her to abandon the nest. That can happen when they don't feel safe or their routine is disrupted. Loud noises, too much activity around her nest, strangers around her coop, predators in the area regularly, even the owners they know messing around in the coop too much when she's in there. I bet you'll have more success with her this time

 

[stake]

The girls are getting better at where they are laying. In the coop. Not in the boxes yet, but getting closer. Still sleeping in their cuddle puddle under the coop, not in it. But as long as they're happy, I guess it's no biggie.

Lady:

My original girls took a week to move into the coop....I had a pile scrummed up in the corner of the pen next to the fence....they'll figure it out.....

 

[kada6305]

How many eggs the hen will think warrant her attention varies with the breeds and even the individual hen. It can range between 8-18, though I've heard people say they've had ducks that sit on 4-6. I'd just give her some time.

That surprises me about your Mallard, and good idea to move her. Mallards tend to be one of the best mothers, so something would typically have to happen to cause her to abandon the nest. That can happen when they don't feel safe or their routine is disrupted. Loud noises, too much activity around her nest, strangers around her coop, predators in the area regularly, even the owners they know messing around in the coop too much when she's in there. I bet you'll have more success with her this time

I wish my mallard would go broody again so I could seperate her. Are Duck flocks like chicken flocks? would the accept her baclk after 3 weeks baing away?

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Aurora, I don't know where you live, so I am periodically waving as I go through Patton. Visited dh's aunt on Magee.

Wish I had known. I'd have waved back lol! I could've invited you to stop by and say hi to my fluffy butts

 

[OneMountainAcres]

Not about chickens. Has anyone here given up the microwave? Hubby and I are thinking about getting rid of ours and living without one. I was curious if anyone else had given theirs up.
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/cook4.php

 

[hendricks115]

Not about chickens. Has anyone here given up the microwave? Hubby and I are thinking about getting rid of ours and living without one. I was curious if anyone else had given theirs up.
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/cook4.php

Mine broke in May and I haven't gotten a new one. I used it very little before it broke, once in a blue moon to heat my coffee if it got cold before I drank it! I prefer to reheat food on the stove or in the oven. I think in all the time since it broke there has only been twice I wished I had it. Mine was a wall mounted unit above the stove with lights and a draw fan. I miss the fan and installed a temporary light. I truly could care less if we get another one. My mother-in-law seems more upset by us not having one than we do. She probably would have went and bought one but the measurements have to be very precise to fit the vents, sockets and height requirements. My hubby says we will go look when his work schedule allows as he travels a great deal for work. I'm figuring it will be another month before that happens, maybe not even until his companies Christmas shutdown.

 

[hendricks115]

So I think our Duck may be going broody? I am not sure. She is not sitting on the eggs yet. Every morning when I go to collect everyone eggs I have to uncover them. I am leaving the Ducks eggs just to see if she is going broody. Once she sits on them I am going to replace them with Chicken eggs. She isn't really hanging with the other Ducks like she usually does and I notice she does get upset when you go near the Coop she doesnt attack but she keeps her mouth open and knd of does a biting action in the air at you...is she going broody??

Definitely sounds broody. Our Muscovy, Suzy, does the same thing. I swear she turns her head all the way around and does this weird hissing, mouth open, air biting thing. I ran away from her the first few times expecting split pea soup to come flying thru the air at me like in the Exorcist! She steals eggs from everyone else. Her and the 2 turkey hens were constantly fighting over their eggs this spring.

 

[PlaidBattleAxe]

Not about chickens. Has anyone here given up the microwave? Hubby and I are thinking about getting rid of ours and living without one. I was curious if anyone else had given theirs up.
http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/cook4.php

We have been without a microwave for almost 6 months now. I dont miss it. Nothing beats stove-top popped popcorn! We just warm leftovers up on the stove, so honestly the microwave was convenient for hands-off tasks, but its just as easy on the stove (just not hands-off). I personally feel the health benefits outweigh the convenience.