Yearling hens nesting, aren't they a little young?

[countrygirl4513]

I have 2 IB hens they are 1 yr 3mos. They both have gone off nesting. How long will they remain broody and set the eggs? This is my first go around with peafowl. I don't know if they have eggs but one of them is nesting in a precarious place. Should I attempt to move her? If so, how is their temperment if someone disturbs them? She's nesting right near the road in the brush. The problem is the county comes through on occasion to mow and I'm worried she would just sit there and get bush-hogged. I do have a male, he is the same age so I know they couldn't possibly be fertile eggs. Unless they went and found a new beau when I wasn't looking. Any help is appreciated.

 

[countrygirl4513]

Is anyone out there? HELLO!!!!

 

[Pavo Royale]

Sorry, I am not much help with broody peahens. But, I would move that hen from danger ASAP. I would also take all of the hens off their eggs since it is unhealthy for them to sit. Especially on eggs that have no chance. I am no expert, but this is what I would do. Next year is time to let them try.

 

[Shepicca]

If the male is only a yearling there is no chance the eggs are fertile, unless you have a free ranging male in the neighbourhood. I would collect both peahens and put them back in a pen until the nesting urge has passed. It will be safer for them.

Irene

 

[deerman]

Agree put them in a pen, predator could get them...if eggs are not fertile they will set for well over a month. Incubator the eggs....but odds are good they are not fertile.

GREAT to hear they are nesting as yearling....yearling do lay ,not that many....glad I am not the only one who has seen it..

 

[countrygirl4513]

Would taking the eggs do any good? Could that break them or are they as stubborn as chickens in that respect? They are all free range so there's no way I could pen them up. However, last night the hen that has her nest back in the woods got a visit from something while she was on the nest. It pulled all her tail feathers out but no injury to her body. I guess that scared the broody out of her cuz she's been around the house all day.
And yesterday my fear came true the county came by to bush hog but they didn't get her. I informed them of the nest. Since we are in a drought they won't mow again till August.

 

[Kev]

Yes taking the eggs would work. Especially if you also mess up the nest or put something "really different" (brightly colored bucket, milk crate or a large ball etc) right in middle of nest.. that should spook the hen off from nest.

Normally yearlings are considered not fertile.. but, as you see, sometimes they are.. as proven by your hens laying eggs. That would make them fertile yearlings.. female though. If the male is same age as these, would be an interesting experiment to set these eggs anyways to see if they truly are infertile or surprise, there's a baby or 2 amongst those eggs. I had one person tell me of fertile eggs from a yearling only pen. So, "why not"? If no babies, oh well.. if there are babies it would just be a nice early surprise!

 

[coloradopeafowl]

Heres one of my yearling blues on 10 eggs.