Hi everyone
Sorry it's a bit complicated but here's the situation:
3 enclosures (ducks in one, chickens in one, other birds in the last)
Broody chicken managed to sit on 16 eggs and they have begun hatching but as soon as they hatch they are destroyed by one of the other chickens/rooster.
I've isolated the mother with surviving chick & recently blinded chick and moved her nest down to floor level for safety (she was sitting in a silly place) I let her keep 4 eggs so the day olds know where to sit and to encourage her to sit also.
I took 8 eggs to give to my broody duck (whose eggs hatched 2 months ago) and then discovered she is sitting on a full nest that was well hidden! I put the eggs in with her (whilst getting seriously pecked at) and I'm sure they will be safe.
Problem now is I know the chicks will hatch in the next few days and I don't know what the mother duck will do with her own eggs.... Will she abandon her own fertile eggs which need another 3 weeks? I plan to remove the chicks as they hatch.
Could I potentially have ruined both nests or will it work? This is the hens first go at it & the ducks surprise 2nd go (I did not want more ducks).
I don't have an incubator (don't need one with all these broody girls). Is it possible the chicks will hatch if hen won't sit? Temp here ranges from 35 - 40 degrees Celsius.
Sorry it's a bit complicated but here's the situation:
3 enclosures (ducks in one, chickens in one, other birds in the last)
Broody chicken managed to sit on 16 eggs and they have begun hatching but as soon as they hatch they are destroyed by one of the other chickens/rooster.
I've isolated the mother with surviving chick & recently blinded chick and moved her nest down to floor level for safety (she was sitting in a silly place) I let her keep 4 eggs so the day olds know where to sit and to encourage her to sit also.
I took 8 eggs to give to my broody duck (whose eggs hatched 2 months ago) and then discovered she is sitting on a full nest that was well hidden! I put the eggs in with her (whilst getting seriously pecked at) and I'm sure they will be safe.
Problem now is I know the chicks will hatch in the next few days and I don't know what the mother duck will do with her own eggs.... Will she abandon her own fertile eggs which need another 3 weeks? I plan to remove the chicks as they hatch.
Could I potentially have ruined both nests or will it work? This is the hens first go at it & the ducks surprise 2nd go (I did not want more ducks).
I don't have an incubator (don't need one with all these broody girls). Is it possible the chicks will hatch if hen won't sit? Temp here ranges from 35 - 40 degrees Celsius.
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hopefully they will be fine now with 2 broody hens wanting on the nest....
