[northfifeduckling]

How long can I expect the new mum to be off lay? The chick is nearly 4 weeks old. The reason I am asking is that she most likely scoffed the other eggs she was supposedly sitting on....

[egglady]

kerstin, i dont know the answer but i'd think she should be laying again by now!  hope she hasnt got a taste thugh - why not put her somwhere with an egg and see what she does?

[CameronS]

at 4 weeks i would think the chick is still with her??

mine normally stay off lay at least till the chicks are totally independent from mum, sometimes 1/2 weeks after, it allows them time to come back to condition and settle back down to normall hormone levels

[northfifeduckling]

yes, they are still happily (more or less) imprisoned in the eglu together. I'll keep them there until chick is out of danger from sparrowhawks. So I won't have to be worrying about egg eating for a while yet...I'll try your approach later, then, Laura!