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Post by Hezz on Jun 4, 2016 0:35:40 GMT
Once the egg is well past its hatch due date the hen will often kick it out of the nest, but if not you should be fine removing it - your hen has plenty to keep her occupied with feeding chicks, so she shouldn't be too concerned about an over-due egg.
You are better off moving everything asap, I feel. The longer you leave it, the greater the chances of injury - baby budgies grow up very quickly.
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May 29, 2016 2:08:35 GMT
jjt
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 13
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Post by jjt on Jun 4, 2016 3:23:16 GMT
How long do we have until they are ready to leave the nest? Don't want to move them yet since there is at least one egg left.
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Post by Hezz on Jun 4, 2016 7:53:52 GMT
Generally they shouldn't try to leave the nest before about four weeks, but from three weeks onwards is very much a possibility. A lot depends on the nest, the character of the chick, how well the hen is looking after them ...... many things there to be considered. As yours are not in a normal nest box, they might try coming out earlier as I imagine it might get rather cramped in that little log as the chicks continue to grow. And also how many hatch, of course.
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May 29, 2016 2:08:35 GMT
jjt
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 13
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Post by jjt on Jun 18, 2016 18:34:49 GMT
The Momma bird has not been sleeping in the log the last few days. I find her on a perch when I take their cover off in the mornings. They have been very vocal this week (whole family parents and chicks). There are definitely 2 chicks and 2 eggs never hatched. I never tried to remove the eggs as the parents have been very protective when anyone gets close to the cage and fly inside the log as fast as they can. We put a baby monitor up to watch the log without disturbing the parents. That's been a lot of fun to watch. The two chicks are getting more adventurous, coming close to the opening of the log.
Today the Momma bird appears to be kicking debris out of the nest. The are little pellet shaped things that have been in there that are everywhere now. Not sure what that is but I see it flying out of the log (almost like she's cleaning it out). There have been times today that she looks like she's trying to push the chicks towards the opening and they try to go back in.
Is there anything we need in the cage for the baby chicks once they come out of the log? Can we get rid of the log the first time they come out or will they want to stay in it for a while like a nest? Are the chicks going to be able to fly or do we need a solid bottom for them to stand on? Right now there is just the typical wire grate on the floor of the cage.
We relocated most of the items in the cage to the bottom section. The green arrows show the multiple perches in the cage, the red arrow is on the log while the blue arrow is the wire bottom of the cage.
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May 29, 2016 2:08:35 GMT
jjt
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 13
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Post by jjt on Jun 18, 2016 23:09:48 GMT
Proud Parents
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Post by Hezz on Jun 19, 2016 1:12:21 GMT
It sounds like the hen knows it is time for the chicks to come out of the nest. Put newspaper down over the grate - makes for much easier cleaning, chicks or no chicks - and once the chicks have come out of the log, give them a day or two then remove the log, give them an empty tissue box or similar, upside down and with a hole cut in so they can hide in there until they are ready to perch. Have a perch or two low down, and another one or two slightly higher; as soon as they are ready to perch you will see them on the low perches. Once they are perching they may or may not still use the "hide" for a few more nights, but once they are perching through the night you can safely take the box out for good. At this stage they will be trying their wings and may have little or no success getting lift-off. Once they are perching on their own flight comes very soon after. Also, once they are out of the log, even if they go back in at night, sprinkle seed over the bottom of the cage, on the newspaper and they will learn to start feeding themselves. Generally the male will teach them how to crack seed, and a little sprig of millet is always a good starter for them. Millet is softer and easier for them to husk. It is also a good time to start introducing them to fresh veggies and egg. The earlier the easier it is.
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Jun 10, 2016 11:01:41 GMT
Daisy
Normal Violet
Posts: 227
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Post by Daisy on Jun 19, 2016 15:40:51 GMT
How amazing for you! I have just tried breeding and to date it looks as if we have zero out of 6 good eggs. I have been a bit sad so reading your story has brightened my day. Hope your chicks do well and thank you. Daisy
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May 29, 2016 2:08:35 GMT
jjt
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 13
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Post by jjt on Jun 20, 2016 16:48:06 GMT
WHAT DID I DO WRONG? The mom was trying like crazy to get the chicks out of the log so I tilted the log on its end thinking they would be more apt to come out. One came out and was on the bottom of the cage. It moved around and was trying to hide under a platform we had next to the log. It was chirping now and again and the Mom appeared to be attentive. It seemed very scared so I put the cover on the cage to help it feel safe. Just went back a few hours later and the chick appears to be dead on the bottom of the cage next to the Kleenex box I had put in there. I don't know what happened. Both parents are at the top of the cage on the highest perch. I think the one in the log is still alive but I was so upset that I didn't want to do anything else to hurt them. I'm at a total loss. I don't know what to do.
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Jun 10, 2016 11:01:41 GMT
Daisy
Normal Violet
Posts: 227
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Post by Daisy on Jun 20, 2016 16:56:10 GMT
Try to warm the chick. This is all I really know but think they can be revivied by this xx
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Post by starlingqueen on Jun 20, 2016 16:59:10 GMT
Did you see either parent attack the chick? You may need to remove the hen and let the father take over the final feeding and rearing of the last chick.
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Post by jujubiiird on Jun 20, 2016 17:00:45 GMT
Oh my, I am so sorry.. That sounds terrible...are you sure he is dead? Maybe he got too much of a shock? I am no expert, but I would like to ask you.did he fall out or he came out on his own? Again I am so sorry and shocked, I dont think it was you...I dont blame you, just wouldnt try doing that again maybe? Take the chick out and make sure he is not still alive, if still alive he needs to be kept warm. Either under a heat lamp, or in paper towels in your hand and breathe hot breath on him, gently rubbing him to encourage breathing. When and if he responds maybe warm a towel and make it like a nest, and place him in it on the paper towels..I have saved baby chickens this way. Keep him as warm as possible if still alive.. Hopefully someone else will get on soon to give you more insight... Im sorry for your loss if he is indeed dead..
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May 29, 2016 2:08:35 GMT
jjt
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 13
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Post by jjt on Jun 20, 2016 17:07:59 GMT
It's dead. My husband said it didn't appear to have any bite marks or wounds. She's been a really good Mom so far, is it really possible she did this? or did it just get so scared? I'm afraid to try to catch her and disrupt things further. The chick in the log has been chirping but the parents were going over to the dead one. The camera isn't on the log anymore so I don't know if they are caring for it or not. Can we do more damage by pulling the Mom out now?
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May 29, 2016 2:08:35 GMT
jjt
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 13
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Post by jjt on Jun 20, 2016 17:22:13 GMT
The opening of the log was only about an inch from the bottom of the cage. At one point it got back in the log but with two at the opening there really wasn't enough room for both of them so one ended up at the base of the log on the bottom of the cage. It scooted underneath a wooden ledge we had built to help the parents balance at the entrance of the log. It was really scared but I thought that was normal. Now I don't know if they will care for the remaining chick that's still in the log or not.
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Post by starlingqueen on Jun 20, 2016 17:58:18 GMT
If the parents are feeding the last chick then that should be ok. If there is any sign of aggression then the hen has to be removed or she can kill it. It doesn't sound like it was the hen however. Not sure what might have happened.
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Post by skysmum on Jun 20, 2016 20:43:40 GMT
I'm so sorry you lost one of your baby's . Its important to remember not to disturb the nesting site too early, ive known breeders have baby's die from shock just from cleaning their feet. I probably would have fashioned a false floor or put towels down to break their fall when they were ready to come out, after all they have tall trees to negotiate in the wild. One of our members Gareth bred in his aviary and used the towels for them to drop onto I believe. Its all a learning curb though, hopefully all will be well with the remaining chick
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