FINCHforum

I checked the nest yesterday and found a pip on one of the two eggs! Excited, I came back 6 hours later to see if anyone was zipping or not. To my dismay, Vilu (the hen) had noticed the pip, and possibly a wiggly little beak peeking out and pecked at it.

She was doing so well, after abandoning her first clutch and then flinging the sole surviving chick after I incubated them for her. I later discovered the flung chick, as well as the quitters had the ''black spot'' of doom.

Once it finished hatching in the sterile incubator, I checked this baby as well and it appears to have black spot as well, although it doesn't look quite the same as the other one. I'm not sure... I checked on it again this morning and the spot seems to have shrunk, so that's good... I think... Black spot is caused by so many things, but since it wasn't coincidental at least now I can make an educated guess the cause is congenital, which narrows it down to either atoxoplasmosis or a fatal gene.

This baby seems really strong, it's made it through 4 feedings (the parents will incubate but not feed yet so I'm keeping an eye on that little crop) but the black spot has a really high mortality rate, so I'm not holding my breath.

No more nests from this pair, they will all be born with black spot, and their parenting skills worry me anyways.

The booger is 26 hours old now, and a good feeder. Sometimes he hangs viciously from the syringe.

My only concern (besides the black spot of doom) is how fast his little crop empties! I have been feeding every 45 minutes, and plan to do feedings at night, too, for the first 3 days.

Has anyone else had any babies that are digesting so quickly? He clearly has half his yolk left in there. Also, since he's been out of the egg, he has only pooped twice.

Brooder temp is 94 degrees F, the hand-feeding formula is millet and farina based, very thin like chicken soup, and the temperature is 99.0 to 100.6 F

Maybe he's too warm? Or maybe he's just a hungry, hungry hippo?

MisterGribs

Well at least you know for sure its not environmental. I hope the little guy pulls through. It sounds like you have the hand feeding under control. I know you had your heart set on a grand zebra family.
You've really worked hard at it.

Yes their crop clears fast the first few days. Hourly feedings are the norm. ;)

**edit** You can slowly bring the temp down to about 95 degrees now. I put my newborns in the brooder at that temp.

Babs That sounds good. He is a hungry little beast! I'll post pictures if he lives to tomorrow. I'll lower the temp a little. Do you think his food could actually be TOO thin?? It's just a bit thicker than water, as it is. I don't normally feed food this thin, but I also don't normally feed from day 1! Lol.

If the black spot is caused by the congenital disease, and not a fatal gene, the neonates might survive, but he/she will still be a carrier of atoxoplasmosis and pass it on to any offspring. So will mom, or possibly dad. If the black spot is from a fatal gene, the chick won't live to pass it on.

So, this is the last batch! I feel sorry for whomever else bought offspring from this same pet store, they likely don't understand why all their chicks keep dying either.

I'm supposed to be working, and instead I'm playing with baby booger.

MisterGribs

Watery is the normal mixture for newborns. I feed about a drop every hour.

Heres your temp chart :

Newly hatched 92-94°F (33.3-34.4 °C)
Older, but still unfeathered 90-92°F (32.2-33.3 °C)
Pin feathers present 85-90°F (29.4-32.2 °C)
Fully feathered 75-80°F (23.9-26.7 °C)
Weaned Room temperature

Here is your formula chart (I have only used pedialyte with very weak chicks) :

1 day - 6 parts Pedialyte 1 part Broth (very watery)
2 day - 6 parts (water) 1 part Broth
3-5 days - 3 parts 1 part Creamy soup
5-weaning days - 2 parts 1 part Pudding

MisterGribs

Sending good wishes your way for baby Zebby.

As Babs already mentioned (and she's an expert baby feeder), feeding small amounts, often, is the trick.

Just be very carefull not to aspirate this infant.

Yes, they are amazingly strong, and latch on quite tightly. Sometimes, they almost seem to swallow whever instrument you are using. Check this little guy out...

lovezebs That looks like what happens with mine, but his little butt actually came up off the ground.

They sure do dream a lot too, it's cute the way they twitch those little wings. He's still going strong!

MisterGribs

Keeping fingers (left hand), toes, legs, and eyes crossed over here for your little fella...

I really hope he makes it

Oh, I forgot to mention.

He didn't appear to have any unabsorbed yolk, but he does have some sort of dried, vestigial tissue on his umbilicus the size of a millet seed (from a spray). I've been cleaning it very carefully with ACV. Is this typical?

I think it happens to be it's belly button

Perfectly normal.

Ricardo Ronsini I thought so, lol

MisterGribs

yep, its his belly button. No need to clean it. Make sure you're feeding him inside the brooder so he stays warm throughout the feeding process. ;)

lovezebs MisterGribs


Elana, thanks my friend. But I remember who gave me the courage for my first handfeed. Hmmm, could it be you? (smiles)

Mistergribs, As long as he's strong and begging. And passing his waste in a timely manner, I would just let him absorb the yolk at his own rate. Warmth with right brooder temp is the most crucial. Not only for his metabolism, but also for his ability to fight off yeast .

Its so tempiting to want to examine him, but each time you open the brooder, you drastically lower the temps. So keeping him fed and warm is your 1st priority.. Very thin skin around the crop. It cools quickly ,

Babs

But I remember who gave me the courage for my first handfeed. Hmmm, could it be you? (smiles)

Don't know what you're talking about sweetie...

He's getting stronger and fluffier by the minute!