Need advise

ring4114 · Post by **ring4114** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:46 pm

Have a blue hen 4 years old with a Sky Blue Cock 4 years old hen worked nest did not lay any eggs . Now keeps hiding in nest come out but cock
keeps at her . Last year had three chicks Need some advise
Bruce

Donna · Post by **Donna** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:56 pm

I don't think there's any thing you can do but let them sort this problem out on their own.

Donna

ring4114 · Post by **ring4114** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:43 pm

Thanks Donna
Do I Take the nest away or leave it
Bruce

Donna · Post by **Donna** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:10 am

I would leave it on for a little while longer!! I don't know if breeding season is over in Aussie or not give them a little extra time.

Donna

Jay · Post by **Jay** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 3:18 pm

Do you or did you observe the birds actually mating? If both are fertile, expect some eggs usually between 2-4 weeks after the commencement of mating festivities

Even with a nestbox, some hens will not lay eggs if they are unhappy with anything about the nest such as if the nest is not deep enough for them, if light seeps through the cracks between the boards, not enough nesting material, undesirable nesting material, etc. Some birds will not even enter a nestbox if they sense some critter urine or droppings. In which case, clean the nestbox, reload some nesting substrate and start all over.

ring4114 · Post by **ring4114** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:59 pm

Donna wrote:I would leave it on for a little while longer!! I don't know if breeding season is over in Aussie or not give them a little extra time.

Donna

Thank you
The hen has been working the nest since july
Wow she has finally laid an egg last night
The hen is a blue & the cock is a skyblue had three chicks last year
Bruce

ring4114 · Post by **ring4114** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:05 pm

depois do prazer wrote:Do you or did you observe the birds actually mating? If both are fertile, expect some eggs usually between 2-4 weeks after the commencement of mating festivities

Even with a nestbox, some hens will not lay eggs if they are unhappy with anything about the nest such as if the nest is not deep enough for them, if light seeps through the cracks between the boards, not enough nesting material, undesirable nesting material, etc. Some birds will not even enter a nestbox if they sense some critter urine or droppings. In which case, clean the nestbox, reload some nesting substrate and start all over.

Thanks for your advise
Yes both birds are fertile had thee chicks last year same nest
Great she has laid one egg last night has been working nest since July
The hen is a four year old Blue & the cock is four year old Sky Blue
Bruce