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I was cutting down some long grass yesterday evening with some shears, as it was too long for the mower & with small trees amongst it and I came accross a clutch of eggs, about 12 or 14 of them. I stopped cutting straight away [about 8pm] and left them. Popped out around midnight & shone a torch from a distance to see if would catch the glint of an eye of whoever was sitting but no luck. Had another look to day about 10.30am & the eggs are still alone.

I think they may be from a pheasant or grouse. 1/ how could I tell if they are still alive, 2/ could they be incubated, 3/ just leave well alone & see if the hen comes back & cry buckets if she doesn't

I feel awful but had no idea they were there.

Oh dear, got any poultry or other bird type farms round you? They would be able to help you find out if the eggs were fertile and 'live' and may have a brooder or hen to pop them under. Might be too late now though since they have been alone since yesterday.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

If they are very close to hatching, you may be able to hear a cheeping inside, or feel them moving.
I think if the parent hasn't come back by now, if you have an incubator, it wouldn't hurt to incubate them. You could open one and see what stage they are at.
I think once the bird has started sitting on them, they shouldn't be left for more than about 20 mins at a time, but it may be that the hen hadn't started to sit yet.
I think if she was sitting on them when you approached with the mower, you would have heard her squarking when she left the nest

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http://clairescraftandgarden.blogspot.com/

If the eggs are stone cold and the chicks had started forming,even a tiny bit,then I'm afraid the embryos will have died. You could try "candling" them. Find a darkish place and shine a bright torch light through them.If there is no black spot at all you could try incubating them. If you can see anything in them get out the tissues!

You can incubate eggs in your bra, apparently. Body warmth, and all that. Just be careful when you move around!

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

There is a lady in the North Yorkshire area who keeps orphan bats in her bra. I think it's because she hasn't got a belfry!

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Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated September 29th - Bean drying.

I tried googling for it, but couldn't find anything!

I'm sure that on Springwatch they said the first little plover they were watching had left her eggs alone for about 6 hours one day & one still hatched so there's still a chance the mother could have returned when you weren't watching. Hope it turns out O.K. & you get to see what they grow into.

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Into every life a little rain must fall.

Thanks for all the support; I had a look through the eggs with a really bright torch & it just looked like an egg, no threads [veins?] or other bits. I feel so awful Surely if there had been a hen [whatever sort] she would have made a racket when I got too close

Can they be saved or shall I bin them? or is it true that eggs which have not yet started to develope can be put on hold by dropping the temp and then incubaiting them when you have enough.................... Am I grasping at straws now?

if the candling showed nothing I would put them back, the mother only starts to sit when she has laid how evermany she thinks she can raise, it sounds like she hasnt started sitting yet, and the birds can count so if she comes back and some are missing she may think its not safe and abandon this clutch.

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Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

Hi yoanbob

I have left them, didn't have the heart to bin them. It looked like there are 12 to 14 dark cream eggs the size of a small hens egg, quite pointy at one end.

I have just wondered across to where the eggs are [working from home & cooped up, needed a break] found my self near where the eggs are and decided to creep up & have a peek with fingers firmley crossed and SHE'S BACK!!!!!!!!! sitting tight is a grouse I am soooo pleased That part of the paddock is now off limits, yeay!!!!!!!!

Brilliant news!! Keep us posted and get some piccies too please

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

cool, cant wait to here how things work out

__________________
Yo an' Bob
Walk lightly on the earth
take only what you need
give all you can
and your produce will be bountifull

I'll keep my camera primed ....................what do you think, around three weeks for some chicks if all goes well?:rolleyes

Are you taking bookings for the glorious 12th?????

ooooH! Nicos , how could you!!!!!!!!! Thyre not even a mouthful

Oooopppss....

Good news,I hope all goes well.