handling babies
- mohum
- Fledgeling
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:31 pm
- Location: lancashire england
handling babies
Is it advisable to handle the babies to check on progress now they are getting older. They are in an outdoor aviary and I have left the parents to get on with rearing so far. I don't want to tame them but would like to have a head count and check for any unhatched eggs or dead babies etc. They are about 10-14 days old but no signs of appearing yet although I have witnessed some feeding taking place.
1 cat, 1 cockatiel, 3 canaries, 9 zebra finches, 1 kakariki
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- Fledgeling
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 10:56 am
- Location: Lebanon-Menieh
Re: handling babies
Check on them and update us ;)
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- Bird Brain
- Posts: 14789
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
- Location: WV
Re: handling babies
I assume you are talking about zebra?
They are so close to fledging I think I would wait rather then scare them out of the nest. Once out they may not go back in and if they're too young in an outdoor aviary that may not be a good thing. There's plenty of time to clean out the nest after they're out. I don't see any reason to handle the chicks unless you suspect something is wrong and need to do an examination.
good luck
They are so close to fledging I think I would wait rather then scare them out of the nest. Once out they may not go back in and if they're too young in an outdoor aviary that may not be a good thing. There's plenty of time to clean out the nest after they're out. I don't see any reason to handle the chicks unless you suspect something is wrong and need to do an examination.
good luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
- mohum
- Fledgeling
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:31 pm
- Location: lancashire england
Re: handling babies
Ok, the first nest has at least three healthy babies. They look like proper birds now and I think they should be ready to fly in within a week.
The second nest which was formed later had one nestling and several eggs last time I looked although I thought the baby looked strange with a swollen crop. This time there were 4 eggs and the baby had gone. The eggs were cold and I found the baby dead on the floor. I have removed this nest to prevent further breeding as it is approaching our winter now.
The only male was attending to the first nest only so I guess this is why it was more successful.I will see how these first babies do before considering any more.
The second nest which was formed later had one nestling and several eggs last time I looked although I thought the baby looked strange with a swollen crop. This time there were 4 eggs and the baby had gone. The eggs were cold and I found the baby dead on the floor. I have removed this nest to prevent further breeding as it is approaching our winter now.
The only male was attending to the first nest only so I guess this is why it was more successful.I will see how these first babies do before considering any more.
1 cat, 1 cockatiel, 3 canaries, 9 zebra finches, 1 kakariki
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- Bird Brain
- Posts: 14789
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
- Location: WV
Re: handling babies
Finch share duties raising their young. I see you have 4 zebra from your signature, aren't there 2 males and 2 females? I think you'd be better off and more successful if you had male female pairs tend to the clutches.
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
- mohum
- Fledgeling
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 2:31 pm
- Location: lancashire england
Re: handling babies
Unfortunately I acquired the aviary second hand with three female finches in residence. We got one new male and they seem to have paired up as one couple and the two remaining females. As I don't particularly want them to breed, I thought that after this current clutch I would not allow any more. The aviary will hold up to about 12 birds comfortably.
Would you suggest having equal numbers of girls and boys or does this not matter in this case?
The canaries are in with the finches but I don't know what gender they are.
Would you suggest having equal numbers of girls and boys or does this not matter in this case?
The canaries are in with the finches but I don't know what gender they are.
1 cat, 1 cockatiel, 3 canaries, 9 zebra finches, 1 kakariki
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- Bird Brain
- Posts: 14789
- Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 7:30 am
- Location: WV
Re: handling babies
Not a zebra expert so I'll let someone familiar with zebra answer your ratio question. I don't think it will matter if you don't intend to breed.
Sounds like a nice large aviary, they should thoroughly enjoy the space to fly and roam.
best of luck
Sounds like a nice large aviary, they should thoroughly enjoy the space to fly and roam.
best of luck
Debbie
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
long time breeder of lady gouldians:
Green
SF Pastel (SF Yellow)
Pastel (Yellow)
Blue
SF Pastel Blue (SF Yellow Blue)
Pastel Blue (Yellow Blue)
GREAT articles on avian lighting:
https://mickaboo.org/confluence/downloa ... ummary.pdf
http://www.naturallighting.com/cart/sto ... sc_page=56
- cindy
- Bird Brain
- Posts: 18754
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:33 pm
- Location: west central Florida
Re: handling babies
I agree with Debbie regarding checking the nest close to fledging.
0ne male to three hens is not a good ratio, the father does do a lot of the work/feeding of the hen and young... and it will exhaust him.
You should have an equal number and multiple nest, two to a pair for them to choose from. Colony breeding zebras does not always work, they can be intrusive on each other...I find breeding pairs individual in separate cages works best. Free flight them during non-breeding times in you larger enclosure.
If you go to breed your canaries while in with the zebras, the zebras can disturb them... you may want to pull the canaries during breeding.
0ne male to three hens is not a good ratio, the father does do a lot of the work/feeding of the hen and young... and it will exhaust him.
You should have an equal number and multiple nest, two to a pair for them to choose from. Colony breeding zebras does not always work, they can be intrusive on each other...I find breeding pairs individual in separate cages works best. Free flight them during non-breeding times in you larger enclosure.
If you go to breed your canaries while in with the zebras, the zebras can disturb them... you may want to pull the canaries during breeding.
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- lovezebs
- Mod Extraordinaire
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Re: handling babies
mohum
From what I understand, you have 4 Zebras (3 females - 1 male).
The male and one female, have paired up, and have babies, ready to fledge soon.
The other two females, have probably bonded as a same sex pair.
Am I correct so far?
You say that you do not want to breed at present, because it's very close to Winter, yes?
I would pull all the nests, soon after the kids fledge, otherwise they will continue laying more clutches. If you want to leave their nests in your aviary, be prepared to remove eggs on a daily basis. You will also have to make sure, that you are supplying your females with plenty of calcium, if they will continue laying, and with some vitamins , to keep them strong and healthy over the Winter months.
Good luck with your fledglings.
From what I understand, you have 4 Zebras (3 females - 1 male).
The male and one female, have paired up, and have babies, ready to fledge soon.
The other two females, have probably bonded as a same sex pair.
Am I correct so far?
You say that you do not want to breed at present, because it's very close to Winter, yes?
I would pull all the nests, soon after the kids fledge, otherwise they will continue laying more clutches. If you want to leave their nests in your aviary, be prepared to remove eggs on a daily basis. You will also have to make sure, that you are supplying your females with plenty of calcium, if they will continue laying, and with some vitamins , to keep them strong and healthy over the Winter months.
Good luck with your fledglings.
~Elana~
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Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~