Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[newcountrygirl]

I have had Percy for about 3 months now and during that time I have never seen him "getting frisky" with the girls. How can I tell if he is actually performing and if the eggs have been fertilised?

[Purplemaniacs]

How old is Percy? What breed is he?

 

How old are your girls?

 

Chrissie

[sjp]

the only sure way is to incubate a few by day ten you should be able to tell when you candle. if he's at least 26 weeks(6 months) old then he should be fertile. Boris my main 'man' farthered chicks at about 26-28 weeks old in the middle of winter

[newcountrygirl]

thanks - Percy is about 9 months old. Yesterday I had to clean one of my Pekins feet and when I picked her up her underside was completely bald. Does this mean she thinks she needs to keep eggs warm? Percy is a wheaten Pekin by the way

[sjp]

thanks - Percy is about 9 months old. Yesterday I had to clean one of my Pekins feet and when I picked her up her underside was completely bald. Does this mean she thinks she needs to keep eggs warm? Percy is a wheaten Pekin by the way

she could be thinking about it a sure sign is that she hogs the nest box and under goes a complete personality change

[Purplemaniacs]

I think you will know when she is broody, mine resemble a pancake in the nest and make a real noise if you try to move them

 

Chrissie

[newcountrygirl]

I know Madge one of my other Pekins is - but the little lavendar one isn't showing particular signs of broody behaviour - its just that when I picked her up yesterday and looked underneath her all her underside was bald which I thought I had read somewhere was because they wanted to be able to keep eggs warmer.

[good_egg]

Has she been broody previously? Perhaps they haven't grown back?

[newcountrygirl]

No she hasnt. Oh well - I shall keep an eye on her.