June 10th update - The parents are
doing a great job sitting on the nest the only disterbance being the
odd squabble over who's turn it is as my male Doobie doesn't like to
give the eggs back to Maggie after she comes back from getting some
food and drink.:^) I think he's settled into this fatherhood stuff
quite well!!!
On the good side of things while
they where having their little tiff I got to count the eggs, and I'm
very happy to report there are now 4 eggs!!! Still can't wait for
these little guys to hatch, I'll keep you updated on any further
goings on in the love nest.
June 11/98 - New discovery this evening while the parents where turning the eggs.They now have 5 eggs in the love nest!
July 9th/98 - Well some sad news as I checked the eggs under light two days ago and no babies. Three of the eggs where fertile though , but I suspect Doobie couldn't provide enough heat with his missing feathers.We have decided to look into getting a small incubator.I hope they will lay agian this year and will keep you posted on there progress.If they do I plan on replacing thier eggs with fakes and incubate them til just before they are ready to hatch then switch them back so the parents can have the pleasure of raising thier young.:^) Thankyou to everyone for your blessings with this cluch. Hopefully we will have better luck next time around.