Hen Pheasants

[tweedlap]

Have the hens started nesting yet?

I know most of the time they are sitting during the first cutting of hay. But, not a lot of hay fields left around Chaska.

Any thoughts on when most of the hatching starts?

Thanks,

tweed

[No_Net]

My uncle has some pen raised hens that layed their first eggs about 2 weeks ago. So I would imagen that the wild ones are sitting on nest.

[harvey lee]

While picking morels this past week I saw two different hens setting eggs.

[LuciandTim]

Typically what happens is the hen will lay the eggs in early to mid May. This is what should be taking place now. Incubation takes 23 days (typically) so the first chicks should be on the ground right around the beginning of June.

So what we need from mother earth is just an avergae amount of rain for the next month. If we have another good nesting season this year we may have a killer season come October.

Also keep in mind that if the nest is lost pheasants will try again. That is why sometimes there is a late hatch which happened a lot last year.

[doubleUcubed]

This morning on the way to work saw many birds along the road. 1 rooster with 5 hens, 3 hens alone, 1 rooster with about 12 hens, 1 rooster with 2 hens, 3 more hens alone.

[lawdog]

I bumped lone hen out of my grove last night when I was watering my new trees. She was sitting all alone, I'm guessing (hoping) she was on a nest, but I didn't go look as I didn't want to mess with the area.

The birds are looking great and the population came through the winter in tip top shape. A few weeks of warm and relatively dry weather and we'll be in awesome shape for fall!

[harvey lee]

Lawdog

Sounds like things may look good there this fall.I might just have to go on a road trip and see for myself.

[Eric Wettschreck]

HL, let me know if you actually do that. I'll take a couple mile drive and meet yous guys there!!!!!