Eggs everywhere!

KNG5 · Post by **KNG5** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:33 pm

Wow do I have a lot of eggs! My zebras have 5 eggs if their own, and the gouldians have around 7. One of their eggs is in the zebra nest. If it hatches and if the gouldians make good parents, I'll put it in with them if they can manage. I'm pretty sure that the one gould egg is fertile, at least, which is lucky, considering I found it in an empty nest without knowing how long it had been there. I'm not going to mess with the goulds. They should hatch on or around the first day of summer!

Meanwhile, the poor gouldian hens (mostly the juvenile, I haven't really seen the other since she's been incubating) keep losing their feathers. I've had them on the liquid iodine for about 9 days now. When can I expect to see improvement, if any?

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 5:41 pm

Nine days isn't long enough for the iodine to have an effect.

If I recall correctly, it was a good two months before my hen regrew her feathers after I started her on liquid kelp. Keep in mind she was almost completely bald, you may see a difference with your birds sooner than I did.

Good luck with all those eggs.

Hope · Post by **Hope** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:53 pm

Lots of luck with your eggs.

What dosage do you use of the liquid kelp and is it daily or a couple of times a week? My bottle came with no instructions.

KNG5 · Post by **KNG5** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:57 pm

For balding birds, it says mix 6 drops per 2 oz for 2 weeks..

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:14 pm

The recommend dosage for the liquid kelp I use is 2 drops per quart. I give them the liquid kelp daily when they are moulting and once per week when they are not.

KNG5 · Post by **KNG5** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:17 pm

Would it hurt them to give them more than the reccomended dose?

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:23 pm

Well there is the belief that if one is good, then two must be great.

But as with most things, it is best to not over do. I'd stick with the recommended dosage. I believe I read somewhere that an excess of iodine can be harmful if given over an extended period.

KNG5 · Post by **KNG5** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:33 pm

K, guess I'll just have to be patient. It amazes me that the other balding hen is breeding...I thought they had to be in top condition. But I dont know.

KNG5 · Post by **KNG5** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 12:30 pm

Geez...how much time is the hen supposed to be incubating every day? I hardly see her at all, and I wonder if she's even getting enough food and water..