Owls in the south and Owls in the north

[L in Ontario]

Liz keep an eye on the littlest one, in a tube nest it may get crowded out with all the wing begging going on as it gets older...I lost the youngest of the first clutch due to tube nests.

That's just not possible - there is no way in heaven that I can see into the back of the tube nest and believe me, I have tried ...with a flashlight even!

[annague]

That is just OWLSTANDING!!

[L in Ontario]

Thank you! More pics when they fledge.

[ikhom]

They are adorable, Liz and your pair produced more chicks than mine. I also used a tube nest. Do you think I should remove the nest now, after the chicks have fledged? I find that the fledgelings spend a big part of the day inside the nest.

[cindy]

The babies go back for about two weeks and hang out in the nest. My parents go back to the nest to feed once the babies all gather back in the nest. once they are bit older they feed out in the open.
My young that have been moved to another cage (last clutch) are given a tube nest to sleep in for security. Owls are nest sleepers. Personally I would leave it in a bit longer until the babies are a bit more independent and less flighty. The nest is like a security blanket.

[Queen_Bee]

Absolutely adorable Liz! Will you be having them DNA'd? I have a feeling the pair I got are both males... I may need a girl or two!!

[L in Ontario]

Thanks Igor and Jacqui! Isn't it great that we can picture each other now as we post messages?! Now I know who I'm 'talking' to.

I would probably leave the nest in for a week at least and if you want more babies - just leave it in altogether; unless like me you don't want to use a tube nest anymore. It is just too hard (impossible) to check the chicks and too difficult to remove the chicks for banding. They hang on tight with their claws. I already have the Abba nest box in and will leave that one for future clutches.

If you would like a female or two, Jacqui - just let me know and I'll get it done! It's easy and the results come back within a few days. I will most likely get them all DNA'd to be sure.

[cindy]

Liz..out of curiousity what is your cost for DNA...labs that most use around here charge about $25 per bird.

[L in Ontario]

Same here Cindy!! Nobody minds paying the $25 for peace of mind and saving by not having to buy another bird.

[cindy]

We did have a lab that was doing it for $13 but is discontinued doing the test. Just curious...DNA does come in handy especially with had to sex and some of the parrots like Grays.

[L in Ontario]

Wow $13 would have been quite the deal!

I had my African Grey parrot DNA'd before I got him as I wanted a 100% male. Many birds are almost impossible to sex when they are very young.

[cindy]

I did the same with mine, I wanted a boy. DNA is wonderful. If I sold hookbills I would offer it also to prospective buyers.

[Queen_Bee]

Thanks Liz - now I'm not sure if they're boys or girls. I've been playing them other owls singing on Youtube and they start to make noises from their throats, but they never hit that full song. They definitely mew and make a few other noises, but maybe I need to separate them to see if they sing? Or start handing out nests to see if anyone lays an egg?

[L in Ontario]

Jacqui - that's how Igor found out he has two hens. He separated them and they each starting laying eggs in their nests. And now one of them is a real good mother for me.

[ikhom]

And the other is very good mother for me.