How Long Until a PM Pair Lays Eggs?

[MSchmohl]

I have had 2 pairs of PMs staying at my site for about two and half weeks, maybe more. They have added nesting materials to the pine needles I already had in the gourds. They also added green leaves about a week ago. The females will hang around inside the gourds during the day longer than the males, but I still haven't seen any eggs. How long do a pair of PMs wait until the female starts laying eggs? I know for BBs they will wait about a week after they made the nest and the female lays one egg a day. Is this how PMs do it?

[avesrun]

Hi MSchmoll. I read on this site just yesterday female lays one egg per day up to 8 eggs. Don't quote me on the 8; but it did say one egg per day so it depends on how many eggs are laid as to how long it takes. I cannot answer how long after nesting begins that eggs are laid; I'm thinking that could vary among pairs.
TimG

[Greg Borke MO]

It should be any day now, if there bringing in nesting material for the past two weeks it should happen very soon. She will lay one egg per day very early in the AM. 5 to 6 eggs is the norm never herd or seen anything different. Do a nest check like around noon and let your rack down very slowly and gental she may stay on the nest so take your time while doing nest checks. Also if it is her first time she may be sloppy building her nest. If you don't see any fresh leaves under her eggs carefully remove her egg or eggs and add fresh green leaves in the shape of a bowl than replace her eggs.

[Ed Svetich-WI]

No need to touch any eggs. The hen knows what she is doing. Not all martins use green leaves. If you have a source for oyster shells, such as an elevated tray, watch for the female to increase her intake of calcium. This will increase as egg laying approaches. I have had a number of seven clutch nests that have all hatched and fledged.

Good luck.

[Greg Borke MO]

Hi Ed

I'm not defending my post in any way and yes I do agree with you. However this year I have a nesting pair that are clueless. She more or less just laid here eggs right over my pine straw pre nest. Several of the eggs were lying right up against the plastic gourd and we are experiencing some bad windy weather here in the mid west. If I did not tidy up her nest and get her eggs protected they may have not made it, I had gourds last night that went almost vertical blowing in high winds. My thought is if you have waited many years for your first nesting pair you need to stay on top of things like this.

Just my thoughts

[Mitch Booth]

I have one pair spending the night. Asy male and sy female. She's actually building nest in two different gourds.

I'm thrilled to have one pair after striking out last year but it sure would be nice to have 2-4 pair to give me a little insurance of a returning pair next year!!

Mitch

[avesrun]

Hi Ed

I'm not defending my post in any way and yes I do agree with you. However this year I have a nesting pair that are clueless. She more or less just laid here eggs right over my pine straw pre nest. Several of the eggs were lying right up against the plastic gourd and we are experiencing some bad windy weather here in the mid west. If I did not tidy up her nest and get her eggs protected they may have not made it, I had gourds last night that went almost vertical blowing in high winds. My thought is if you have waited many years for your first nesting pair you need to stay on top of things like this.

Just my thoughts

Greg that happened at my public site today what with the wind and all. I don't have a good handle on what my sy pair have going on, but this week if I do see both of them leave to go off and feed I may just break down and lower my housing for a welfare check (AND) to get some clues on possible nesting.