How does the hen feed her chicks?

finchandlovebird · Post by **finchandlovebird** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:26 pm

I wondered if a hen reguritates the food she eats & then feeds the chick, or what?
Why I ask is that often it looks like whole seeds in the chick's crop.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:42 pm

They do regurgitate their food for the babies, but if you watch them, they fill up and then shortly afterwards fly to the nest, when you will hear babies begging if they are old enough. So they are not digesting this food and then regurgitating it much later, but instead regurgitating it fairly soon after eating. Often they will eat some eggfood, then go for a drink, then maybe preen a little, then go back to the nest to feed the babies.

bugaboo5 · Post by **bugaboo5** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 12:56 am

Absolutely, parents regurgitate their food for their young. Certainly you have seen this in person by now? It's even more interesting to watch when babies fledge and they beg on the perches. It's very endearing to see parents regurgitate to feed their babies. This is one reason why many (if not all) recommend providing egg food for breeding birds. It's easy and quick to consume. De-husking seed takes longer for parents to do, especially with a nest full of babies!

lyzzyjayne · Post by **lyzzyjayne** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:35 am

I have always wondered that too! Thank You!

monotwine · Post by **monotwine** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 3:42 am

This is often why people also recommend you offer soaked / boiled seed when adults are feeding young.The treated seed is softer and more easily digested by the young. More easily digested = more intake = faster growth and development.
I soak seed and offer chitted seed to adults feeding young. Along with the eggfood and veg etc.

finchandlovebird · Post by **finchandlovebird** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:29 am

monotwine Thanks. Makes Sense. How long do you soak the "soaked" seeds. I have used sprouted seed. And what about boiling seed; I don't think I ever heard that one.

monotwine · Post by **monotwine** » Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:37 am

I just soak for 4 to 6 hours. Then drain well and freeze them if I have a large batch or serve directly. Sometimes I will soak seeds overnight, drain and mix with dried commercial eggfood to take up the excess water before serving. Serve enough for the birds to eat by 12 ish.

I've never boiled seed, but have heard of others doing so.

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How does the hen feed her chicks?

How does the hen feed her chicks?

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