sleeping outside

[Diane]

Is it normal for a RFPF pair to roost outside at night when they have eggs?
They started nest building on the 29th and from then the hen spent quite a lot of time in the nest.
The hen sits in the nest for long periods of time during the day, but she roosts outside with the cockbird at night. The nest is very well insulated, she must have got the Government subsidy!
She was outside again last night.

[jusdeb]

Is she a young bird ? Sometimes they dont get the hang of things first time around.

[Pete Sara]

mine sit out when the eggs have hatched . if they have in a few days you will here them calling to be fed....pete

[Diane]

she will be close a year old and this will be her first clutch. They have 3 eggs in the nest,I checked today and she is still outside tonight snuggled up with her mate. The eggs didnt seem anywhere close to hatched judging by the colour, I didnt candle them. They could only be a maximum of 9 days for the oldest egg. Maybe they arent fertile and she knows but cant resist sitting on them during the day. I guess only time will tell.

[SA Parrot Finch Man]

I have always avoided looking in the nest of my RFPF just incase they abandoned the eggs but with your pair, they are more than likely inexperienced and will do a better job with the next clutch ;)

[Diane]

I have always avoided looking in the nest of my RFPF just incase they abandoned the eggs

I know I dont like to look either but this business of sleeping outside after so much nest building and sitting was driving me mad I would have hated to think young were slowly dying in the nest when I could have least tried to hand feed.