nesting and freezing temperatures

4/15/2014

I returned home yesterday after a long weekend away to discover three beautiful bluebird eggs in one of the nest boxes I’ve been monitoring; today, the hen laid a fourth. I am wondering what effect tonight’s below-freezing temperature might have on the eggs. Will they freeze and not be viable? Does cold in some way stunt embryonic development? I’ve been googling for information, but coming up with little that's relevant. Most temperature studies are focused on heat. Does anyone in the club know?

Leave a comment if you have suggestions - thanks

Bonnie Bernstein

1 Comment

Dick Rowe

4/16/2014 09:38:00 am

Bonnie - I doubt that the cold weather will have any affect on the eggs. The female will sit on the eggs in the nest box and keep them at the proper developmental temperature. You are correct about the potential effect of lower temperatures on development - development will be slower at lowered temperatures. As long as the eggs do not get too cold, the embryos will be fine. They might hatch a day later then normal due to the effect of being chilled, but that would be the only result, unless the eggs freeze. Low egg temperatures or freezing can kill the embryo.

On last Saturday, 12 April, one of my nest boxes had 4 Bluebird eggs in it.

Dick

nesting and freezing temperatures

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