Whoo Hoo... I Finally Have a Broody... 1 Question....

[Chickie Mamma]

Hello, My Maple finally went broody, she is a partridge silkie. I have her sitting on 2 duck eggs (that were added today) and 3 silkie eggs that are not fertile (no rooster). Can I add more duck eggs? Will she notice the difference and only sit for the 21 days or will she wait til they hatch? I have never had a broody hen before and I just wanted to make sure she will last the duration for the duck eggs... Thanks

 

[austinhart123]

ya give her the eggs most likely she will be glad to take them

 

[lauralou]

She should sit until the eggs hatch. I have had broody hens hatch muscovy eggs, which take 35 days. It's always possible that she will give up midway through the incubation process, but I've never had it happen.

 

[Ridgerunner]

She should sit for the duration of the duck eggs. I'd remove the unfertile chicken eggs so they don't spoil and explode under her. She will not notice they are missing.

I'm not sure how many duck eggs a partridge silkie can cover. She needs to be able to cover all the eggs to keep them equally warm. If you can add more duck eggs today and she can cover them, you should be OK, but I would not add any more after today. You run the risk she will leave the nest when the first ones hatch and before the second ones hatch.

Good luck!

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Thanks for the replys! I snuck the 2 duck eggs in there and was only able to get one of hers out. Wow, is she NASTY!! If we go near her, she sounds like an ambulance going by. My DD put food and water near her so she really doesn't have to go to far to get food. I feel better that she at least has the 2 duck eggs (which are huge). I would have felt bad if she did all of that for nothing. Its not a wasted effort now

Thanks again..

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
You need to get her a husband which has been waiting here in NY at "your" cabin!!! Yeah for a broody!!! make sure she hatched out that cute white crestless girl for me

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Quote:
You need to get her a husband which has been waiting here in NY at "your" cabin!!! Yeah for a broody!!! make sure she hatched out that cute white crestless girl for me

She is working on it! For only 2 eggs, the odds are against us

Here I was thinking My splash was a boy, so yes, I need that chicken man from you! Too bad they are not like homing pigeons huh??

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
You need to get her a husband which has been waiting here in NY at "your" cabin!!! Yeah for a broody!!! make sure she hatched out that cute white crestless girl for me

She is working on it! For only 2 eggs, the odds are against us

Here I was thinking My splash was a boy, so yes, I need that chicken man from you! Too bad they are not like homing pigeons huh??

wouldnt that be sweet You can have my boy and I can have your girl!!! then we can be grandmas together!

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Awwww, grandma's

 

[sonew123]

"Grandma"

I hope I have at least 10 years before I really hear that phrase!!!