6 BB eggs!

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  • #7962
    Chris
    Participant

      I have been hosting Blues for a long time. But this is the first time I have ever had six eggs in one nest. This is a new pair this year.
      And NO there not any brown eggs!
      I am interested in how often this happens??

      Chris
      Rochester, NY

      N

      #7964
      Dana
      Participant

        Hi Chris,
        In the years I have hosted bluebirds I can honestly say I have never been lucky enough to have had more than 5 eggs in a nesting. I think 6 eggs is more the norm for mountain bluebirds which are located out west, although it’s probably not unheard for the eastern bluebirds. Sounds like you have a very fertile female, providing they all hatch. That’s awesome! Congrats!

        #7967
        Carol – Mid-Mo.
        Participant

          Chris, wow, 6 eggs – I have never had more than 5 and sometimes 5 is too many, especially when it is very hot, which is NOT the case right now. Hope you have good luck – better be ready to help out a little with the feeding by offering them worms or suet if possible.

          #7971

          Congratulations Chris. Way to start the season.

          David
          Stafford, VA

          #7984
          Chris
          Participant

            Thanks, Carol (and David)!
            Yes I have ample supply of live and dried mealies, as most of my Blues stay year round. At least until the dominant male chases the rest away! I had over two dozen again through the winter.
            My biggest problem is Hosp., by far. I always have 3-4 boxes outfitted with my best ally- Van Ert waiting for them!
            I fully appreciate your posts to others regarding being ready and able to properly combat the viscous, despicable killer sparrows to anyone who chooses to offer nest boxes.
            It is worth repeating:
            IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO MONITOR NESTBOXES AND PROPERLY DISPOSE OF HOSP- TAKE THEM DOWN PLEASE. An unmonitored box IS a death trap for Bluebirds.

            Chris
            Rochester, NY

            N

            #8001
            Carol – Mid-Mo.
            Participant

              Chris, glad you have reminded everyone how important that last statement is. However, I have learned over the years that we have to be gentle with those who do not agree with this important statement. I have given several video presentations on bluebirds over the years (not any the past 2 years), and do stress this idea, but do it gently. I have over those years got several bluebirders to agree about this procedure & agree how it helps our blues. BUT, I do believe that everyone has a right to their own opinion. After having a predator destroy their eggs or babies, they usually get it, a little too late for that nesting but knowledge for the future ones and new bluebirds in the sky!!!

              #8010
              Chris
              Participant

                To add to my post of 6 eggs… all of them are white-ish to a very light pink.
                Again I have never previously experienced this either. A little research revealed this is “normal” in about 4-9% of Blues. And hens that have white eggs typically bare all of her eggs white in color. And this is simply a pigment issue in egg formation, not affecting color of the chicks inside.
                Now I’m just hoping that all 6 hatch, especially during these upper 20 degree evenings.

                Chris
                Rochester, NY

                N

                #8053
                Chris
                Participant

                  Update:
                  All six eggs of those white eggs hatched and look great!

                  Chris
                  Rochester, NY

                  N

                  #8054

                  Good news Chris. Keep us posted on the progress on the new ones

                  David
                  Stafford, VA

                  #8057
                  Carol – Mid-Mo.
                  Participant

                    Wow, hope their box is large enough for all those babies – good thing it is not in the heat of summer. You may have to put them on a diet. Yes, keep us informed.

                    I am feeding my live worms now, as most of the winter birds have left and the parents of my 5 new baby blues are already feeding them worms. They were just born late Friday or yesterday.

                    #8062
                    Sassy
                    Participant

                      Wow Chris, 6eggs is certainly a nest full and congrats on the white eggs and all of them hatching.
                      Connie

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