I have eggs laid... now what

[biophiliac]

There is only one bowl per nest box, I'm not sure what you're referring to? I might add another nest bowl to their box though....

I have read that they can use a second (preferably adjacent) next box for the second clutch, if the nest box is not quite big enough for two bowls. It's not so much that the bowls wouldn't fit but rather the older squabs may be seen as a threat to the new eggs and be attacked by their father if they get too close.* I saw a setup where the box was about 18" deep x 24" long x 18" high, with a 10" wide shelf across the back at about 10" above the floor of the nestbox. The second bowl is placed on the shelf.

Also, once the squeakers get out of the nestbox onto the floor of the loft they need some protection from the other adult birds even though their dad will still be feeding them until they eat on their own. I would think this might be more of a concern the smaller the loft. Something to get under like a board where they can hide if harassed.

* there is an old post telling of one squab getting scalped by the cock bc it was sitting on the 2nd clutch.

Only about 5 more days!

 

[LamarshFish]

I have read that they can use a second (preferably adjacent) next box for the second clutch, if the nest box is not quite big enough for two bowls. It's not so much that the bowls wouldn't fit but rather the older squabs may be seen as a threat to the new eggs and be attacked by their father if they get too close.* I saw a setup where the box was about 18" deep x 24" long x 18" high, with a 10" wide shelf across the back at about 10" above the floor of the nestbox. The second bowl is placed on the shelf.

Also, once the squeakers get out of the nestbox onto the floor of the loft they need some protection from the other adult birds even though their dad will still be feeding them until they eat on their own. I would think this might be more of a concern the smaller the loft. Something to get under like a board where they can hide if harassed.

* there is an old post telling of one squab getting scalped by the cock bc it was sitting on the 2nd clutch.

Only about 5 more days!

I'm not sure what I'm going to do about the prospect of a second clutch of eggs after the squabs hatch (if they hatch). I don't think my nest boxes are tall enough to put shelves inside of them.

The earliest day the first egg can hatch would be this coming Wednesday I think, so soon enough. It has been between 10-20 degrees here for several days now though, so I'm not keeping my hopes up. They have been sitting on the eggs though.

 

[Hokum Coco]

The earliest day the first egg can hatch would be Wednesday

Have you bothered to candle the eggs?

 

[LamarshFish]

Have you bothered to candle the eggs?

I'd like to, but I have not yet done it because I do not know the proper way to do it without disturbing the parents (I know how to candle an egg though). They have been sitting on the egg perfectly as far as I have seen--the hen sits from evening through the night and half the morning, and the cock sits in from mid to late morning to the evening. Although it has been between 10-20 degrees (Fahrenheit) the past few days, so my expectations of a hatch are not high.

Is there a good way for me to get in and candle the egg without running any risk of disturbing the incubation process or causing the parents to stop sitting the eggs as they have been?

 

[Hokum Coco]

Is there a good way for me to get in and candle the egg

I just use a regular flashlight. Take out one egg at a time candle and replace promptly. The eggs should be solid black by now with very little detail where they should be close to hatching.
Easy Peasy Japaneasy.

 

[taprock]

I candled mine after dark. They seem to grow at a different rate than chicks so I didn’t try to figure state of development. I just candled on day 15 to look for dead ones or for movement.

I think it has gotten dark enough around here to slow down the breeding behavior. We have had no second set of eggs laid, thankfully!

 

[Hokum Coco]

We have had no second set of eggs laid, thankfully!

Same here the one squab that hatched in December is about 2 weeks away from being fully fledged and I did not even employ this nest box. I think he is going to survive.

 

[LamarshFish]

Same here the one squab that hatched in December is about 2 weeks away from being fully fledged and I did not even employ this nest box. I think he is going to survive.


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I have a heating pad (designed for chicken babies) that I plan to use for the squabs once they hatch and the parents stop sitting on them. I hope that will suffice instead of using some kind of insulated housing like styrofoam.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I have a heating pad (designed for chicken babies) that I plan to use for the squabs

I suggest using the pad if "BOTH" squabs hatch the squab parents are still incubating the one solitary squab and he will be flying in less than 2 weeks. My experience is they can not protect 2 squabs in cold weather. My squab survived 4ºF coupled with a -22ºF wind chill no problem with no extra protection. Doing to much for your birds can sometimes bring heartache as well. Take if from somebody who knows.

 

[LamarshFish]

I suggest using the pad if "BOTH" squabs hatch the squab parents are still incubating the one solitary squab and he will be flying in less than 2 weeks. My experience is they can not protect 2 squabs in cold weather. My squab survived 4ºF coupled with a -22ºF wind chill no problem with no extra protection.

Thanks!