HELP! smelly nest...what to do

lisalambourne · Post by **lisalambourne** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 12:54 pm

Hi Cash has messy tail feathers like they are all sticky, which may be from all her babies poo's. The nest smells too being, a single mum she is good at feeding but not at cleaning nest...will this hurt the babies. I don't know whether to put fresh bedding in the nest, but worried she will abandon the nest, someone please advise

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:34 pm

Yeah the nests normally do get pretty nasty. If your hen wasn't already stressed with raising this clutch on her own, I would suggest you switch the nest for a new one.

Since she is the only parent these chicks have, I'd just ignore the poo. Once the chicks have fledged, which will happen before you know it, you can remove the nest.

Provide the hen with a dish of water daily for bathing and hopefully she will clean herself up.

lisalambourne · Post by **lisalambourne** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:39 pm

thanks Tammie, when do they do what thay are two weeks old have some feathers and are peeking out of the nest, whats next or will that be all their progress for a while, when will they start feeding by themselves, or trying bits and when will they try venturing?? she has been attacking her millet like mad this last couple of days and eats lettuce like its going out of fasion, any reason why do you think and is this ok

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:47 pm

Oldest chick will fledge, (leave the nest) around 18 days. Since you have five chicks, the youngest will fledge four to five days after the first.

They will venture out of the nest during the dayand return at night to sleep. Once all the chicks have come out, you can switch the nest for a clean one.
Sometimes the hen will begin to pluck and chase the chicks at this time, cause she wants to return to the nest to lay more eggs. So if that happens, leave the nest out.

They will be weaned around 4 weeks.

Oh yeah, omit the lettuce as this is causing the runny poo and her messy vent. Offer her broccoli or another veggie with less water content.

lisalambourne · Post by **lisalambourne** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:54 pm

thanks for all ur help tammie, just one more question, does the broccoli have to be cooled or can it be given raw

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 1:58 pm

I always give it to then raw, never thought of cooking it first! I would cool it, if you do cook it.

You can snip the little florets off and add it to the egg if you like. Or just wedge a "tree" between the cage bars and let her pick at it.

lisalambourne · Post by **lisalambourne** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:00 pm

had visions of hopping bird with burn't beak then..lol thats great can give raw, thanks for all your help Tammie

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:04 pm

You are most welcome.

Good luck with the little family.