Worried about the upcoming cool spell

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Since I have BB eggs (hopefully two after today) I am worried about the upcoming cool spell. We have had temps in the 70 and 80’s for several days, then tomorrow and for 10 days or more it is supposed to be very cool, one night predicted at 30 degrees and several in the low 40’s. I am thinking about closing up some of the vents on this box during this very cool spell – any ideas yea or nay? I don’t believe she will be done laying eggs for a 2 or 3 days so won’t be incubating yet. Worry about those eggs taking this cool spell.

[Sassy]

Carol, weather is gonna be down right cold here, in the 20’s at night with snow. I think I am going to plug the vents and try to keep Mama and-future?? baby as warm as possible. Let us know what you decide to do.
Connie

[tamsea]

Carol. It’s always cold here in the spring so I normally do not worry about it. Mama was sitting on eggs so I figured they would be just fine. It’s when there are babies that I worry more but my five eggs didn’t hatch. I had to remove them. So I guess it did get too cold. Breaks my heart especially because I was taking my granddaughter out to check every day, looking forward to showing her hatchlings. 😭

Tammy

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Tammy, sorry your eggs did not hatch – I’ve always heard that the eggs are as susceptible to the cold as the babies, but who knows? My 5 eggs did hatch okay and mama has been incubating about 5-6 days now. They are feeding worms like crazy – I call it the “worm train”, each parent back & forth from the worm bowl to the babies in the nest. Hope you get a new batch of eggs soon.
P.S. I did close up one of the vent slots, which was on the north where most of the cold wind was coming from. Of course, I opened it up when the weather permitted.

[David in Stafford,VA]

Tammy – so sorry about this batch of eggs. Weather has no mercy and it has really been strange this spring. But you did every thing that you could. They will be back again. Carol are you still having cool weather too?

David
Stafford, VA

[Sassy]

So sorry to hear this about all 5 eggs Tammy. I think I lost one but not sure. It is going to get chilly here again this coming week, not as bad as it was, but cold enough to wear a jacket. Hope the Bluebirds are laying again.
Connie

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

David, our weather has been pretty good this past week – had several days of 70 plus and one day over 80 degrees, but with very gusty wind, though, which made it seen cooler. Nights have been fairly cool, 40’s and 50 degrees. We have had several pretty good rains and also several days of just light rain, almost not measurable. Checked on my 5 blue babies one of these real warm days & they were snug as a bug in a rug and getting good size.

Hope everyone is well.

[Rich K]

I am freaking out!!! It is going to be 38 degrees on Thursday night and 28 degrees on Friday night! I really don’t know what to do. I have a slot box that points away from the wind so hopefully Momma will huddle down and keep the eggs warm. They are due to hatch in 6 days but I am really concerned about the viability if the eggs get too cold. I guess this is the time you just have to sweat it out as a EABL Landlord and hope and pray for the best! I was thinking of putting a step ladder behind the box and a space heater to blow toward the box but that may be an exercise in futility.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Rich, nothing we can do about the weather, of course, but we can worry and try different things. BUT don’t believe a space heater would be the thing to do. Where do you live by the way? I don’t believe 38 degrees will be too bad – not at the freezing stage yet – my eggs survived 2 nights of under 32 degrees!
I have wrapped insulation around or on the box a time or two – believe I just put some styrofoam directly on 3 sides of the box WITHOUT the spacers, thus acting more like insulation than coolant. But that would probably disrupt mama’s incubating since this might take some time. I take it your slot box does not have any ventilation slots at the top of both sides where you could cover those? I know how worried you are, since I just went through this, in fact I just checked our weather and we are predicted with 36 degrees Friday night, but of course my babies will be about 2 weeks old by the – and with 5 I believe they will stay warm. GOOD LUCK! We’ll all be pulling for those eggs.

[Rich K]

We live in Western PA just North of Pittsburgh. I think I am putting and insulating shell around the box. I will see if she accepts it tomorrow as it is supposed to be in the low 50’s. I know we have to let nature run it’s course, but it’s rough!

[David in Stafford,VA]

The shell might work, but like Carol said don’t keep mama bird away too long. You might consider a temporary foam spacer tightly wedged to partially close the slot. Remove that immediately when temps warm up. Again nature always wins and mama should be able to keep those eggs warm if it doesn’t stay too cold for an extended period. Good luck Rich.

David
Stafford, VA

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