3 of my free range bantam flock have been secretly laying eggs in their hidden nests in the orchard.
I found them all nesting close to each other under some bushes. They have made their own nests and they are lined with dry leaves and dead grass.
I live in Thailand, its hot here, so not worried about the eggs getting chilled. BUT we have heavy rains several times a week this time of year.
Will the eggs hatch if the nest get wet and damp?
They are on a raised hill so no chance of them flooding, but the leaves and soil under the eggs are going to get wet and damp.
I tried to put some metal sheeting over the nest, but this freaked the hens out and they would not settle back on the nests until I took it away.
What happens to 'wild' chickens and how to they keep their nests dry? Maybe it does not matter, but I would really like some more chicks as I lost my last batch to a virus.
Thank you for any help.
I found them all nesting close to each other under some bushes. They have made their own nests and they are lined with dry leaves and dead grass.
I live in Thailand, its hot here, so not worried about the eggs getting chilled. BUT we have heavy rains several times a week this time of year.
Will the eggs hatch if the nest get wet and damp?
They are on a raised hill so no chance of them flooding, but the leaves and soil under the eggs are going to get wet and damp.
I tried to put some metal sheeting over the nest, but this freaked the hens out and they would not settle back on the nests until I took it away.
What happens to 'wild' chickens and how to they keep their nests dry? Maybe it does not matter, but I would really like some more chicks as I lost my last batch to a virus.
Thank you for any help.