Trading Eggs Here I'm returning the nest after exchanging a newly laid egg for the plastic 'dummy' egg, all Dolly will be allowed to set on til the entire clutch is laid. This helps the chicks to hatch on the same day, rather than over several days, as can happen if she begins incubating immediately.   I take the entire nest, so I can do the exchange where Dolly cannot see me and get suspicious. Later on, if I should need to examine the nest, I will be able to take it away and Dolly will not panic, knowing that this has happened before, and it is always returned unharmed.

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