Super Secrete Nest Site

[centrarchid]

A free-range hen that has been roosting in various trees around the yard since last summer has gotten hard to find over the last week or so. Thought she might be moving into heavier bush for some reason. What noticed first is I could not find her on any known roost when using a spot light and she was only evident occasionally when I was around during the middle of the day. I came home to pickup some paperwork around 1000 and heard her explode off from ground like hens do when leaving nest they are incubating. Looking back into direction she came from I could see she has a nest under concrete slab of front porch where it is very difficult to see.

 

[sourland]

Any chance the eggs are viable or has it been too cold ?

 

[centrarchid]

Any chance the eggs are viable or has it been too cold ?

Good chance they are protected well enough not to have frozen. Father would have to be a stag not old enough to even attempt keep a harem. He has been penned for about 3 weeks, but timing good where he could have potentially fertilized all eggs.

He is also her younger full-brother. Inbreed when no choice.

 

[nuthatched]

did she dig under there herself, do you think?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

A picture would be awesome!

 

[aart]

did she dig under there herself, do you think?

Was wondering the same thing.

 

[centrarchid]

No pictures yet. Hen came off nest today looking for eats. She is balling up and clucking. Doing a lot of flying as well. She is has conflicting issues made more serious by cold (<10 F). She is expending more energy to keep herself and clutch warm. She is having difficult time getting enough eats because she comes off nest only once per day. She appears to be loosing weight more than typical. I will have to intervene soon. Brood will not be able to survive exposed in yard area if lots of rain or snow.