Hatch

[Machias]

I'm not feeling too good about all this cold wet rain we're getting over here.  I don't think it bodes well.

[bowhunterforever]

Yea me too I saw a hen the other day and she only had 1 chick.

[DOUBLELUNG]

It has been cold and wet through the peak hatch period for most of our prized upland bird species here in north-central Washington.  I predict limits of anything that doesn't have a blue leg band will be few and far between.

[bobcat]

I guess instead of going pheasant hunting to SE Washington I will be going coyote hunting instead.  And instead of grouse hunting in September I will be bear hunting and scouting for early muzzleloader deer season. I will get by but I'm not sure how my dog is going to handle it.

[yelp]

I saw a hen with 10 poults in between rain storms..I am always optimistic however.  The hen would walk 5 yards and squat down all the poults would run up under her wings...she would get up and do the same thing.  They looked about 2 weeks old size wise. 

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Haven't seen anything since the rains.  However last week saw a hen with about 6-8, 3 day old-ish chicks.  She was hunkered down alongside the road.  I stopped to take a pic and the camera wouldn't work, $%^#$^@@$%%^&^%*!!!. 

She stood up and stepped into the tall grass.  The chicks were all confused.  She clucked and off they ran.  She got about 4 feet into the grass and disappeared.

Have seen some pheasant and quail chicks recently but nothing in the past week.

[Hangfire]

Haven't seen any young of the year birds, north of Spokane yet.  This rain has to be hard on them.  We should be in the peak hatching time right now. I think there is a lot of reason for concern.

[yelp]

Haven't seen any young of the year birds, north of Spokane yet.  This rain has to be hard on them.  We should be in the peak hatching time right now. I think there is a lot of reason for concern.

I would wait until July..most poults are visible then..Its still early.  poult mortality happens even with optimal conditions.  I also am always optimistic.

[bowhunterforever]

Saw another hen today and she only had 3 chicks.

[ICEMAN]

Darn it!

[boneaddict]

Yep, its across the line of species......here's to a second hatch.

[bowhunterforever]

Will hens have a second hatch if they only have a few chicks for there first or do they have to loose them all?

[boneaddict]

They'll squeeze in a double if time allows.  Generally they won't start laying as early so they aren't as developed when season or winter rolls around.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

One the way home last nite saw two hens and about a dozen chicks.  I snapped a couple of pics but I'm not sure how the turned out.  If I have time tonite I'll post them.

[Meats]

Will hens have a second hatch if they only have a few chicks for there first or do they have to loose them all?

Most birds speices only have a 2nd hatch or nest attemp if the firs nest is lost..........not hatched and lost.
If the nest is destroyed or does not hatch she will make a 2nd attempt.
If the eggs hatch and the young are lost..............she will NOT attempt a 2nd nest.