counturchickens Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Well Barbara is now sitting on her eggs, so I'm assuming 28 days to go! Assuming all goes well, once they've hatched will be be ok to move them to a separate house and run to keep the hens and drake away, so should I try and fashion barriers around her little house? She's currently in a duck house within the wir, but I have a spare house and run which I normally use for intros. Also, is there anything I should be doing to help her while she's brooding? Food and water are nearby, but should I put some right outside the house? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Hi if the hens cant get in with her I would leave her where she is for now its upto you on the drake if you only have the pair of ducks sometimes they will both bring the babies up you will just have to see what your drakes behaviour is when they start to hatch and I don't feed my broodys layers as their not laying I put them back on growers or crumb with a bit of corn mixed in other than just making sure she has food and water she will come and go as she likes normally only once a day goodluck leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 Thanks Leanne. Yesterday was the first day she didn't come off when let out to free range, but she had been sitting a bit before that so I'm not sure when to count from! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted June 17, 2013 Author Share Posted June 17, 2013 Day 30 and she abandoned the eggs, 2 were cracked and only had yolk in. I will let her have a rest and recuperate now. Is it too late for her to try again this year? Or does a failed hatch mean it isn't worth trying again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Oh dear poor girl I always candle the eggs under my broodys so I know they are going to get something but you don't have to I would leave her for a while to get back in to condition she may not want to sit again this year but I wouldn't let her for at least a couple of months now I have chickens that can rear me 2 or 3 broods a year with no problems leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 Thanks Leanne. I think I will just let her have a rest, and poor Tom was distraught without her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
