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So, my second attempt second clutch is moving along nicely Egg# 3 this morning. One thing that didn’t dawn on me though was the placement of this box. Notice it is close to the fence where a coon or cat can easily get on the box. If I move it a little bit (say 5 feet) each day for the next couple of days – what affect will this have? Has anyone had this problem before (probably not dumb enough to put a box this close to a fence, I know!!)
Definitely move it! My son wanted to attract EABB and put his box on a fence very similar to yours. He was so excited when he had five eggs, but the next day when he came home they were all gone. Apparently a snake had them for lunch.
BZ
Yes, move it before incubation begins – you will need to be very careful about not damaging the eggs when you put the pole in the ground. What are everyone’s thoughts on the best way to do this – leave nest & eggs alone in the box or take them out while the pole is being set? I have never done this, so I really don’t know what is best – just that those eggs are strong, but could be damaged by tamping the pole into the ground. Just thought of something – do you have another pole which you could put into a new location and then just attach the box with the eggs to that pole, thus relieving some possibility of bumping the eggs during the tamping of the first pole? Just a thought.
This is a Troyer so the pole is actual 1/2″ conduit set onto rebar. I have another exact same set up with a Gilbertson so I plan to pound that rebar into the ground and then I can safely lift the current box off the existing rebar and gently slide it onto the newly relocated rebar! I will be extra careful. She has 3 eggs right now but I anticipate another egg tomorrow as she has not been on the nest all day – just around the box hunting and feeding Junior from the first fledge! I will do this around 10 tomorrow to be sure she has laid and minimal disturbance. Thanks everyone! I’m convinced to move it now!!!
Hey Rich- so glad you’re able to move it gently. Question: do you have a baffle on the pole?
Glad they’re moving forward for a 2nd brood! My 2nd brood nestlings are 14 days old. Yesterday was my last peak.
Nicole
I got it moved no problem this morning. Still 3 eggs so I think she will begin brooding now. I know typically they lay one less egg that the first clutch (where she had 4 with only 2 hatching and one surviving).
Momma took to it’s new location within 5 minutes!!! (Yes Nicole I do have it baffled with a stove pipe baffle!)Well, to my surprise egg #4 was laid this morning! Must have been just after I checked at 10 AM. A little late but I will take it. Mom and Pop had no problem accepting the new, safe location and in fact I feel much better about it because it is not only away from the fence, but in full shade during mid day so it will give better protection from blazing summer sun. Mom and Dad are very active around the box this afternoon so I suspect Momma is done laying and is now brooding. Fingers crossed!!!!
Mom and Dad are very active around the box this afternoon so I suspect Momma is done laying and is now brooding.
Or getting ready to lay egg #5. Most years I have had 5 in each clutch of eggs. This is the first year that I have gone from 5 to 4 on the second brood.
David
Stafford, VARich, glad you got it moved safely. For future reference, a female will usually lay her eggs in the morning sometime, but we always wait until noon or 1 p.m. to check. 10:00 a.m. would be a little early to see if an egg was laid. Sometimes, they are just later than others. You would not want to open the box if she were in the middle of laying her daily egg, as she would probably fly out and drop the egg. Something to think about & remember. (as if we don’t have enough to remember!)
Yay, Rich! So glad you got it moved to a better/safer location! Hope you & your Mama have fertile eggs!
Nicole
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