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Second Clutch of Infertile Eggs

13 years ago

Hi everyone, been a very long time since I posted but I have a question.

We put up a nestbox back in May and we attracted a lovely pair of bluebirds about a month later (that was shocking to have them come soon soon!). Their first nesting attempt produced five infertile eggs. We were so sad to have to remove them. We candled all five eggs at day 20. A few days later, they began the process of rebuilding the nest and she laid 4 eggs in her second clutch. This past Saturday was day 17 and still nothing had hatched, so we candled these 4 and sadly, they were all infertile also. I was SO SAD. We removed the eggs and the nest once again. They are around the yard but I'm not certain if they'll attempt a third try.
Can anyone tell me what is the problem? I've heard she could be an immature female to poppa is shooting blanks. I would really appreciate some insight because this is so heartbreaking. Thanks.

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Comments (4)

kendra2003
13 years ago
I can only say this has been a weird season for me as well. In my years of hosting Bluebirds, I have never had an infertile egg until this season. My Blues first nesting attempt was five infertile eggs. Like you, I candled them once they were well past any chance of hatching. Then nesting number two, she laid six eggs. All hatched and fledged. Nesting number three she laid five eggs. Only two hatched. After the two were five days old, I candled the remaining eggs and they were empty.
blake1112
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for your reply, Kendra. I've been around this forum for 10 or so years and have had only one attempt in a nestbox on my property in all those years. Then all of the sudden this pair shows up much to my delight and produced 9 infertile eggs in two clutches. And that seems very strange that you have experienced this problem this year yourself.
I was just informed by my husband that the blues are attempting a third nesting; they are currently building another nest. Fingers crossed.... I will candle these eggs much sooner this time.
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Thanks! and our school's financial secretary has five also. I used a spooker last year but this year haven't yet. We moved the bird feeders and plugged up holes in a big tree that starlings were nesting in. It has made a huge difference. First I'm going to make one for a friend who gets blues every year starting a nest then they leave and the HOSPS take over.
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The eggs were being turned and were warm. However, I just felt something was very wrong as they still hadn't hatched as of today. I tried candling them, and they are totally empty. I know how to candle eggs as I have pet birds, and these eggs were never fertilized. Zero growth and a huge air space. I certainly won't be getting three clutches this year. I know the parent birds will figure it out, so I'll just leave them for now. Mister Blue has been checking out a different box (the one they usually use for their second clutch) so hopefully they'll start over again soon. Bummer. I always love the first clutch as there are no worries about the HOWR yet.
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Do you have any idea about how old the babies were when they disappeared? Bluebird babies stay in the nest ABOUT 18 days, give or take a day, after they hatch. If you know when they hatched (you should always keep records) you will know how old they were. If they were 17 or 18 days old they may have just fledged normally from the nest. If they were younger than that they may have been the victims of predation by anything that could reach them. If they fledged normally you may not see them for weeks; they do a very good job of hiding for the first weeks. The eggs you dropped may have been old eggs, especially if they were buried in the nesting material. Please remove that ornamental box now and go to the Sialis website that Michelle posted for you. You will be able to make a proper setup for the next Bluebirds in your yard. Do it soon, if you can, in case this mother bird wants to lay more eggs. Good luck. www.sialis.org
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kendra2003
13 years ago
I sure hope clutch number three works out for you. After all these years and finally getting a nesting pair, this must be so frustrating for you. Last year my Blues fledged 15 in three nesting attempts. This year it will only be 7.
ktbirde
12 years ago
Hello, I've come on to try to figure out this problem for our bluebirds, as well. This is the second straight year of nothing but unhatched clutches for our bluebirds. We finally got our first bluebirds nesting last spring (2013) and they built 3 or 4 clutches, none of which hatched. They are now working on their 2nd clutch this year, and no luck. A total of about 20 to 25 eggs, none hatched. What to do?

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