There really isn't a set time table for laying. Years ago, I had Blues build complete nests in two different boxes and then they went elsewhere. I've read that sometimes first year breeders will take a bit longer to lay. I've had some that build a nest and there is an egg the day the nest is finished. My suggestion would be to be patient and see what they do. They may surprise you. You may end up with your first egg by tomorrow, or maybe next week, or maybe not at all. I'm hoping for tomorrow. Best of luck.

Bluebirds lay one egg per day until the clutch is complete. Did she start laying eggs on May 28th or was she done laying all six eggs on the 29th? If she started laying on the 28th then the last egg would have been laid on the 2nd of June which would make this 15 days since incubation started. They start incubating normally the day the last egg was laid and incubation is typically 12-14 days but can be as long as 20 days. If she was done laying eggs on the 29th then this would be day 19 of incubation. Either way I would keep waiting to see what happens. It is too early to say they won't be hatching and I would definately not be removing those eggs. If you want to know if the female is incubating them you could put a small dot with a marker on one of the eggs, look the next day to see if it has been moved as the female will rotate the eggs during incubation. You should not touch eggs with your bare hands as the oils from your hands can clog the pores on the eggs and cause them to not develop. These should be close to hatching though so I "think" it will be ok. Good luck and just be patient. Donna

Very odd things happening with my houses this year. I had bluebirds in one house that laid 5 eggs. For the most part I try to stay away so they don't get spooked. In this case the next time I checked there was one fledgling that I saw but he didn't seem ready to fly away yet. But when I checked 2 days later there were no babies or eggs. The nest was empty. This box was protected with the mesh on the opening. I'm hoping time just flew by and the brood hatched and fledged in my absence! Will the parents start a new brood in the same nest or should I clean the box out for them to start over? I had another box that had activity, 5 eggs layed and a week later no eggs or babies. I fear they were killed since it was an old house from last year and it did not have the protective metal mesh at the opening. I have a nest nearby with the mesh protection. I kept checking and there was no activity or eggs. Then suddenly there was one egg!! I assumed the mom would lay more. I checked for 2 days, still only one egg. The third day the egg hatched with a tiny bald with a little fuzz baby bird. I kept watching from a distance and I did not see the male or female going into the house. I skipped looking inside the box today. I wanted to stay totally away. Tomorrow I will check again. I hope the little guy is okay.... Is it unusual for a female to lay only one egg? I'm thinking that perhaps the pair that were in the other box moved to this box when a predator got their other eggs..... Thus only one last egg to lay??? The box with the one egg is about 20 feet from the empty box. Perhaps this is part of that brood? Can the mom or dad move an egg or did she just lay it in a different box?? I have another box about 100 feet from that one protected with the mesh that some sparrows have taken over. They have built a nest and hang out in front of it on the mesh opening and on top of it but no eggs for well over a month. Perhaps they are the culprits that got the 5 bluebird eggs. Very strange that they built a nest and aren't using it. I know they will build several, one as a decoy or to give the female a choice, but I don't see that they've done that unless they are planning to take over the bluebird box. I will be keeping a watch on that....

Hi Judy- So glad you have 4 eggs now! Sure hope they become chicks! Did that egg end up being cracked? My understanding is that if the eggs are super fragile, the female may not be consuming enough Calcium. Don't know if you feed mealworms, but they're high in protein, but low in Calcium. During nesting season, I've been sprinkling my mealworms with calcium carbonate powder. Should help the mom to lay stronger eggs & the nestlings to grow stronger bones & wings to fly. As you have so much experience, you've probably not run into fragile eggs before- don't think they crack very much from what I've heard (unless low calcium, handling, or foul play is involved). Hopefully, your eggs are ok though. I thought one of mine may have been cracked, but it was just a piece of human hair running across it. Thanks for info on nesting cam. Think I'll look into one for next season. What a great experience that must be. Wish you the best with your bluebirds! Nicole