Talk to me about incubating other species under a broody hen.

[naturemom]

One of my hens is broody again. This is the 6th or 7th time this year that she has gone broody. So, since I'm wanting some ducks anyway I thought maybe I'd put a few duck eggs under her. Can anyone tell me about their experiences with chickens raising babies of other species? Anything I should be aware of? I know ducks need higher humidity so I'd need to spray them with water. Also, since she's a bantam the eggs might be too big for her to turn so I'd probably have to do that, too. I think it might actually end up being more work than using a bator, but I only have one bator and it has runner eggs in it right now, although things are not looking good and I would not be surprised if none hatch-I think they were tossed around quite a bit during shipping.

 

[ChickenToes]

Hmm...this is a tough question! I think a broody hen would be able to hatch out duck eggs, but there is a chance she may walk off and leave them after awhile because they take so much longer to hatch than chicken eggs.

 

[hatchcrazzzy]

if she has set that much she will set on duck eggs till they hatch good luck

 

[jenjscott]

She should hatch them with no problem, but boy will she go crazy the first time they go in for a swim!

 

[farmgirlie1031]

Hmm? I guess she could hatch them. I'm thinking of letting a hen hatch my guineas next time so maybe they will be tamer if they see their mama likes me. The 2 I have now act like I am a monster. I don't know if it will work or not but I might try.

 

[naturemom]

Quote:
That's one of my concerns, especially since I'd have to get the eggs in the mail first. I'm thinking that if she did quit, the bator would be free by then, so I'd just keep an eye on her and move them if she abandoned the nest. I'd love to give her some quail eggs, but my dh and fil (we live with my il's) have nixed the quail idea, at least for this year