Crusaderhunter
New member
What will the snow do to nesting pheasants this weekend?
Snow
- Thread starter Crusaderhunter
- Start date
Crossing shot
New member
Probably not incubating yet. Means some eggs getting snowed on. Been years since I have seen little pheasants. How many eggs are there usually?
westksbowhunter
Well-known member
From Hutch east it is headed, out here not yet. Lots of rain, wet and cold. Snow on the ground from Healy west. That wet heavy snow isn't going to help the wheat. Looks like 14 inches.
most hens are not on the nest yet, laying eggs doesn't happen this soon.
the snow, if heavy and wet with wind, will lay the taller wheat over, that's the real problem. the nesting cover (winter wheat) will be destroyed and the harvest will be compromised........just depends on how much snow, over 6 inches will probably due the crop in along with a freeze will stunt any further wheat head development, this is likely to be financially devastating as will as a problem for bird production and habitat.......hen prefer to nest in standing green wheat.
the snow, if heavy and wet with wind, will lay the taller wheat over, that's the real problem. the nesting cover (winter wheat) will be destroyed and the harvest will be compromised........just depends on how much snow, over 6 inches will probably due the crop in along with a freeze will stunt any further wheat head development, this is likely to be financially devastating as will as a problem for bird production and habitat.......hen prefer to nest in standing green wheat.
fsentkilr
Active member
most hens are not on the nest yet, laying eggs doesn't happen this soon.
the snow, if heavy and wet with wind, will lay the taller wheat over, that's the real problem. the nesting cover (winter wheat) will be destroyed and the harvest will be compromised........just depends on how much snow, over 6 inches will probably due the crop in along with a freeze will stunt any further wheat head development, this is likely to be financially devastating as will as a problem for bird production and habitat.......hen prefer to nest in standing green wheat.
The wheat won't be destroyed. It will be lodged and make harvest difficult, but the snow won't kill it. It's not going to get cold enough to hurt it either, unless it gets colder than the lows forecast currently. The moisture will be way more beneficial for nesting then not having any.
14 inches of snow, lodged? flattened if we have 20 mph winds or more......if power lines and poles are coming down, the wheat will be too........about the same damage from a good hail storm.......
fsentkilr
Active member
It will goose neck and the heads will stick back up. This isn't the first time this has happened. It's not the same as a hail storm. The hail will break the stems and strip off the leaves, the snow won't.
PheasantNut
Active member
most hens are not on the nest yet, laying eggs doesn't happen this soon.
the snow, if heavy and wet with wind, will lay the taller wheat over, that's the real problem. the nesting cover (winter wheat) will be destroyed and the harvest will be compromised........just depends on how much snow, over 6 inches will probably due the crop in along with a freeze will stunt any further wheat head development, this is likely to be financially devastating as will as a problem for bird production and habitat.......hen prefer to nest in standing green wheat.
While I don't think this weather will have a big impact on nest, nest initiation has most likely already begun. Assuming the primary hatch will occur the first week of June (although last year I saw my first chicks on May 18th) - If you figure it takes 15 days to lay a nest of 12 or so eggs, then 23 days to incubate, it takes 38 days total for a nest to hatch. That would put nest initiation sometime around this past week.
Right now its 38 degrees in Dodge City and snowing, by Tuesday it will be 65 and sunny. That late April and May sun angle will rapidly get the vegetation growing fast again. Down the road in Spearman, Texas it is now 33 degrees with light snow.
We have to also look at the bright side of this weather "Abundant Moisture". Texas/Oklahoma panhandles and Kansas is getting greatly needed moisture.
The rain and snow mix captures nitrogen molecule while falling and acts as natural fertilizer. With greener vegetation (green healthy wheat) and enormous quantities of plant nutrients full of minerals/vitamins and more insects. We need fat healthy hen quail and pheasants to lay lots of healthy eggs.
I think Dimmitt, Texas received over five inches of rain in April. This rain should pay off big time with more nesting cover and plant nutrients and fat insects.
With a weak El Nina coming on this summer we should look good by August and Sept.
We have to also look at the bright side of this weather "Abundant Moisture". Texas/Oklahoma panhandles and Kansas is getting greatly needed moisture.
The rain and snow mix captures nitrogen molecule while falling and acts as natural fertilizer. With greener vegetation (green healthy wheat) and enormous quantities of plant nutrients full of minerals/vitamins and more insects. We need fat healthy hen quail and pheasants to lay lots of healthy eggs.
I think Dimmitt, Texas received over five inches of rain in April. This rain should pay off big time with more nesting cover and plant nutrients and fat insects.
With a weak El Nina coming on this summer we should look good by August and Sept.
westksbowhunter
Well-known member
Actually it might be the same as a hail storm as we got ice last night. Pea size pellets. It melted fast but it came down for several hours. 60 mph winds with reports of downed tree's and powerlines. The wheat really did not need this moisture.
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Hard to say at this point how badly the birds will be affected. One thing is for sure, this much snow is not good for them. I've already seen multiple nests with eggs. While the incubation period is 23 days, there is additional time needed to lay the eggs. The total cycle is roughly 38 days. If you do the math, it explains what it's common to see nests already.
While it can be argued that the peak of the hatch is around June 7, it varies a bit depending on weather, location, etc. We also need to keep in mind that the hatch dates are "normally distributed". That is, the peak may be around the 7th, but some chicks hatch much earlier and some much later. I'd guess that the best we can hope for is that most hens are not setting yet. On the other hand, if the eggs get cold enough to die, the hen doesn't always know and may set anyway.
Perhaps Mr. Prairie Drifter could weigh in on this.
In any case, the map below is rather sobering.
Point!
While it can be argued that the peak of the hatch is around June 7, it varies a bit depending on weather, location, etc. We also need to keep in mind that the hatch dates are "normally distributed". That is, the peak may be around the 7th, but some chicks hatch much earlier and some much later. I'd guess that the best we can hope for is that most hens are not setting yet. On the other hand, if the eggs get cold enough to die, the hen doesn't always know and may set anyway.
Perhaps Mr. Prairie Drifter could weigh in on this.
In any case, the map below is rather sobering.
Point!
fsentkilr
Active member
Hard to say at this point how badly the birds will be affected. One thing is for sure, this much snow is not good for them. I've already seen multiple nests with eggs. While the incubation period is 23 days, there is additional time needed to lay the eggs. The total cycle is roughly 38 days. If you do the math, it explains what it's common to see nests already.
While it can be argued that the peak of the hatch is around June 7, it varies a bit depending on weather, location, etc. We also need to keep in mind that the hatch dates are "normally distributed". That is, the peak may be around the 7th, but some chicks hatch much earlier and some much later. I'd guess that the best we can hope for is that most hens are not setting yet. On the other hand, if the eggs get cold enough to die, the hen doesn't always know and may set anyway.
Perhaps Mr. Prairie Drifter could weigh in on this.
In any case, the map below is rather sobering.
Point!
The chart for the colors isn't right. The yellow is where the lighter amounts fell not more than 3 feet.
BritChaser
Well-known member
How long can quail survive under this heavy snow? Things were going so well . . .
BleuBijou
Active member
Hope it is not this widespread!
http://www.agriculture.com/news/crops/we-lost-the-western-kansas-wheat-crop-this-weekend
http://www.agriculture.com/news/crops/we-lost-the-western-kansas-wheat-crop-this-weekend
westksbowhunter
Well-known member
This may be worse than we think. Lots of reports of over 16 inches of snow. Tree and power lines down. Just snapped electric poles. Don't know how the wheat could fare very well at all. Oberlin has been declared a disaster area.
http://ksn.com/2017/05/01/storm-damage-assessments-begin-as-weather-clears/
http://ksn.com/2017/05/01/storm-damage-assessments-begin-as-weather-clears/
Uplandhunter67
Well-known member
I went out to my place in NWK today. I got there just before noon. No snow even though the roads were closed and power was out before sunrise. There was a bit of standing water in places. Only real sign there was snow. Everything was green as a golf course. Even mowed the lawn before heading back to Denver. I saw a lot of birds along the way home. A couple in places I would never expect to see them.
fsentkilr
Active member
They had 8 inches of snow in Ness, it was gone by yesterday evening.