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Robinâs nest with dead chicks

10 years ago

I have a RobinÃ¢ÂÂs nest in a bush next to my house. The eggs hatched and I was observing the mom (or in the case of Robins it may be the dad. IÃ¢ÂÂm not sure) feeding the chicks. He or she is constantly here bringing worms to the nest. A few days ago we had some unusually cold weather followed by very bad rain storms. I peeked into the bush a few days ago, careful not to get closer than 5 ft and noticed the 3 chicks in the nest but looking barely alive. I left them alone and waited to see if the mom or dad came back. Sure enough they did and they have kept coming back every few minutes throughout the day with worms in their beaks. They would fly into the bush and presumably feed the chicks. I was encouraged that they may survive. I peeked in again yesterday and two of the chicks are obviously dead. One was still alive but barely moving and itÃ¢ÂÂs head was down. This morning all three looked dead. I was very sad but then a few minutes later the mom or dad returned again with food. I watched them fly into the nest with worms and fly away again. Is there any chance the Robins could be flying to another nest in the bush that I havenÃ¢ÂÂt noticed? I donÃ¢ÂÂt hear any chirping at all. Does anyone know if the parent bird would keep returning if the chicks were dead or how long before they would give up? ItÃ¢ÂÂs makes me very sad to watch them keep returning to their dead chicks...

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Eggs don't hatch prematurely, but they may be broken by excessive disturbances. It sounds like they were not yet ready to hatch. Another problem that you might have, is different hatch dates because two hens are setting together. One may have begun setting while another was still laying in the same nest, causing many of the eggs to have successive hatch dates. The hen's instincts tell her to leave when the majority of the hatch is finished, usually within a day or so. If you have some that hatch after one hen leaves the nest, but before the other is ready to, you may have difficulty getting either one to accept those chicks that have not hatched as part of their brood. The best way to prevent such problems is to seperate each hen and allow her to set by herself. That way you'll be able to determine the exact hatch date of her entire brood 21 days after she starts setting, and eliminate any guess work or premature destruction of eggs.
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Comments (2)
The doves are breeding where I am so perhaps a mourning dove? Or was it sparrow sized? Either way- give it a month (give or take a week) and it will likely be done/chicks fledged (and you'll see one or two wandering around looking helpless quite possibly-- but if they have feathers on their wings and most of the back- don't worry and don't bug em as long as a predator isn't about to nail em. The parents are usually watching closeby or remember when they are. Doves are unusual and one of a few species of birds that feed using a 'milk' and do not regurgitate food nor bring food to the chicks. So she will eventually lead the chicks to the food and teach them to peck/retrieve the food/eat it.) The doves are especially fast (at breeding)and tend to make a nest in a low brushy area. Although they can be very tolerant of humans- its best to just leave em alone as much as possible (and cover the area back up so its not as obvious to cats and predators if that's possible.) For brush disposal: A chipper would allow you to use it as mulch or for compost. if you don't want to do that, then call up whomever disposes of your green waste (do you have a curbside recycling program?) You can find out if they would take out an especially large load for you during a certain week/day and what their requirements might be. Otherwise you might have to resort to one of your other options.
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Lisa and Cathy, Thanks for your encouragement. This year, the nest box is where I don't have but a few steps to run down should I have to :) Plus, I've had my knee replaced since last summer so I'm doing steps MUCH better. But the bottom line is THERE WILL BE NO HOUSE WRENS! I put a sign up where they can see it so I expect it'll work...I WISH! So far so good. I have two babies who are growing fast. And they are tough kids so there's nothing could stop them!! Bluebird blessings, Linda...
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All I can do is say I'm so sorry. I lost my entire first nest this year. One egg and then 2 babies missing, and my last two died with no sign of trauma. I know some people will say consult a wildlife rehabber but my closest one is five hours away. I totally understand the helpless feeling :(
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