skip to main content

Do you ever wonder what you did with out a camera

16 years ago

We have camera's in both of our wood duck boxes. Each has a second nesting in them. Many more eggs in each box than one hen could lay. The one box that has a sitting hen has 27 eggs-poor duck has no room for her feet. At least 5 of those eggs have been laid in the nest since she started sitting full time.

The other box has 13 eggs, anywhere from 1 egg to 4 eggs have been added to that box on a daily bases. Lots of hen fighting in the box. They are very feisty birds.

One came and sat all night last night, but was only around today to lay an egg. (actually 3 eggs were laid)

When it is cold the hens will sometimes come and sit at night, like they are trying to keep eggs from freezing.

Now I wonder if they sit at night to keep the eggs as warm as the box does during the day. I checked temp today.

The sitting box was 102 when I opened it.

The none sitting box was 95 and the eggs were 85 (like the down that the mama duck put in keeps them insulated both directions (cold or hot).

And our blue birds are building a nest in their box also.

This a first nest in our yard this year.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

lisa11310
16 years ago
OH my , do most of the eggs hatch? Are other Ducks dumping eggs? I know nothing about wood ducks but I do have a box. It was a gift and it is mounted near my pond out here in the woods but I have never seen a wood duck. Do the Hens share a box and take turns sitting? When they hatch and jump out are all the hens there or just one poor mama bird?
I can tell you tons about Blue Birds!
Connie Kru
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi Lisa
It is amazing how many of the eggs do hatch.
The last batch had 22 eggs and 19 of them hatched.
Only one duck stays till the end and is the only mama.
The others are fought with and generally give up after they lay their eggs or they find a new nest for part of the eggs.
The one nest we have now had 27 eggs and I am sure there is at least one more in it. I did not go and count eggs today as we had grandkids all day.
Where are you located. We have so many wood ducks and I am sure part of it is because of the boxes. They say the female will come back to the area that she was hatched in.
I keep telling my hubby we need more boxes, but he says no, he will not ring the pond with duck boxes.
Connie
Related Discussions
Did you ever wonder how commercial growers harvest seed?
Q
Comments (1)
Almost all plants will ripen seeds if allowed to do so. Harvesting seeds is mostly a matter of timing. Once a seed is ripe it will be scattered and impossible to collect. Collecting must be done as the seed ripens but before it scatters. Al
...See More
Did you ever wonder what would happen if...
Q
Comments (22)
I am thankful that I caught it before the whole thing blew! That would have been 100 times worse. My husband (who I don't deserve) spent the entire evening cleaning the car. While the smell made me gag, it didn't bother him that much because he spent his summers through high school and college working in a commercial dairy, and was somewhat used to the smell. He was able to remove the soaked seat belts and is soaking them in an enzyme solution, which he also sprayed on the affected areas. We left all the windows open all night, and I wasn't able to detect the sour milk smell as I drove to work. However it is supposed to get into the mid seventies today, so the smell will probably come back. When my daughter was young she had a very weak stomach and threw up frequently. Once, she was sitting in the front seat and threw up. It got all over the dash and in the vents. I don't think that smell ever entirely went away.
...See More
Did You Ever Wonder Why Their Butts....
Q
Comments (27)
If you go out digging in your yard, in late spring you will likely find "glowworms". These are the larvae of fireflies and have a glow on their tail ends too. Do any of you remember the song from back in the '50's . It was made famous then done by the Mills Brothers, but I think the song was written much earlier than that. The Glow-worm Song Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer. Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer. Lead us lest too far we wander. Love's sweet voice is calling yonder. Shine little glow-worm, glimmer, glimmer. Hey, there don't get dimmer, dimmer. Light the path below, above. And lead us on to love! Glow little glow-worm, fly of fire. Glow like an incandescent wire. Glow for the female of the species. Turn on the AC and the DC. This night could use a little brightnin'. Light up you little ol' bug of lightnin'. When you gotta glow, you gotta glow. Glow little glow-worm, glow. Glow little glow-worm, glow and glimmer. Swim through the sea of night, little swimmer. Thou aeronautical boll weevil. Illuminate yon woods primeval. See how the shadows deepen, darken. You and your chick should get to sparkin'. I got a gal that I love so. Glow little glow-worm, glow. Glow little glow-worm, turn the key on. You are equipped with taillight neon. You got a cute vest-pocket mazda. Which you can make both slow and faster. I don't know who you took a shine to. Or who you're out to make a sign to. I got a gal that I love so. Glow little glow-worm, glow.
...See More
Did you ever wonder...
Q
Comments (4)
As usual Pam, we have the same ideas! I made my DH a birthday card with a pic of myself and DD at the ocean with the cropped-out background surrounding the photo. It turned out great! I have yet to try it on a scrapbook layout, though.
...See More
lisa11310
16 years ago
Connie I am in west Michigan at the edge of the Manistee National Forest. There are many lakes in this area, around here there must be one nice lake every 5-10 miles in any direction you drive (2 within walking distance from me) and we are about 15 miles from Lake Michigan. SO we have hundreds of miles of woods and plenty of water. No wood ducks. : ( Will they take a natural cavity over a provided box? That would explaine much!

Related Stories

VALENTINE’S DAY Tell Us: Why Did You Fall in Love With Your House?

By Vanessa Brunner

What was it about your house that made your heart flutter? Share your photo, and it could make the Houzz homepage

DISASTER PREP & RECOVERY Remodeling After Water Damage: Tips From a Homeowner Who Did It

By Judith Taylor Designs

Learn the crucial steps and coping mechanisms that can help when flooding strikes your home

BUDGETING YOUR PROJECT Houzz Call: What Did Your Kitchen Renovation Teach You About Budgeting?

By Erin Carlyle

Cost is often the biggest shocker in a home renovation project. Share your wisdom to help your fellow Houzzers

FUN HOUZZ Did Elves Make a Home in a San Francisco Park?

By Vanessa Brunner

Speculation has swirled around a Lilliputian doorway in Golden Gate Park. We give you the true story — and a design dilemma

FUN HOUZZ Double Take: Did MoMA Drop a Mini House in the Yard?

By Becky Harris

Or maybe it's garden art or even a modernist-loving giant's step stool. Use your imagination, then get the true tale here

The Wonder of the Blue Hour

By Between Naps on the Porch

MOST POPULAR The Easiest, Most Versatile Cake Stand You'll Ever Make

By Rikki Snyder

Show off sweet somethings and your own impressive handiwork — just don't let on how little effort it took

MOST POPULAR The Most Incredible Kids' Tree House You'll Ever See?

By Sarah Greenman

Duck your head to enter this unforgettable Dallas wonderwork, lovingly crafted with imaginative delights

DECORATING GUIDES The Most Helpful Furniture Piece You May Ever Own

By Mike Dietrich

Use it as a table, a seat, a display space, a footrest ... and indoors or out. Meet the ever-versatile Chinese garden stool

DECORATING GUIDES Multipurpose Wonders: Tin Cans

By Becky Harris

Feel thrifty, productive and imaginative all at once when you turn these everyday recyclables into fun and functional decor

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!