How long?

Pierce130 · Post by **Pierce130** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:33 pm

I was wondering how long is incubation? The parents have been at it for over a week...I know that is too soon, but what is the average time it takes before babies show up!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:38 pm

Approximately 2 weeks or 14 days from sitting tight

FinchezRule · Post by **FinchezRule** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:45 pm

L in Ontario wrote:Approximately 2 weeks or 14 days from sitting tight

Usually 14 days as they said. Some species however don't begin to sit until most of the clutch has been laid. Some finches take a little longer to hatch up to 17 days I believe. I also know that how "tight" the parents sit may have something to do with the chicks development.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 8:49 pm

True and I've had some species take as long as 21 days to hatch from sitting tight - hence "approximately".

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:40 am

some of the smaller waxbills hatch at 12 days, it all depends upon when they begin to sit tight on the nest. as others have said some birds start incubation immediately on laying the first egg while others wait until they have laid a clutch (4 to 6 eggs on average)

Pierce130 · Post by **Pierce130** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:15 am

Thanks guys, this helps. It has been about a week that they have been sitting "tight." At night, three of them are in the nest. Mom and the two? dads. I guess I am not used to an X rated nesting (LOL)
Nancy