Shaft-tail chicks about to fledge

Post by **Sally** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 12:41 am

Oh, Jordan, I'm so sorry. Sometimes it seems like it is just one bad thing after another. Hang in there, and 2009 has got to get better!

When you are feeding the baby, I have learned with mine that you can trigger the begging behavior by stroking the beak. I use my thumb and index finger, and just stroke from the corners to the point of the beak. This makes them open up and put their head in the right position so the food goes down to the crop.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:17 am

Yes, I hope that 2009 is better. Can't be worse.

Thanks for the tip with the begging. When I do put the syringe in the beak, it moves it's head in a pumping motion. If it doesn't do that, it just chokes on the food.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:44 am

Well at least it is letting you feed it. That is a good thing. I am so sorry for the loss of your hen. It just seems things go bad all at the same time.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:12 am

Sorry to hear about the hen, Jordan. Hope all goes better for the baby. How is it today?

BirdCrazy · Post by **BirdCrazy** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:30 am

Sorry to hear about your hen! Good luck with the handfeeding. I have found that a small pipette works really nice and you can control the flow much better than with a syringe. Plus they can be used over and over. The syringes I have bought in the past tend to dry up and not be as easy to push after a few washings. I hope you are able to save this last one. Too bad about all the trouble otherwise. Things will only look up from here I am sure.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 1:03 pm

The last chick died. It was out of the nestbox gasping for air and died shortly after. Plus, this morning the gate to the backyard blew open from the high winds lastnight and of course, I didn't realize it until the 2 dogs escaped....running the neighborhood. I was able to at least catch them. Phew! Come on 2009!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:18 pm

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear about the last chick, Jordan but relieved that you caught those two dogs making a run for it. Best wishes for a better 2009!

Post by **Sally** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:49 pm

So sorry to learn about the last chick. It can be so difficult to handfeed, I've lost more than a few already this season. Sometimes these chicks are doomed from the start.

Thank goodness you got your dogs back! You have just been clobbered with the bad weather, too. Whoever heard of Portland and Seattle having so much now? Oops, I meant to say snow.

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:44 pm

Jordan, I am so sorry to hear about your loss. 2008 is almost over so I wish you a better 2009.

franny · Post by **franny** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:47 pm

Sorry you've had such a bad year. Here's hoping that 2009 will be a better year for you.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:12 pm

Thanks all. Here's to a wonderful, exciting, full of good things 2009! $\:D/$

HAPPY NEW YEAR!