Removal of babies

[bezza]

Hi all I'm not sure if this is right or wrong and I haven't done this yet but I'm thinking of removing 1 or 2 of the babies from a large clutch to hand rear the rest of the feeding or hand tame my question is is this going to cause an issue with mum and dad and the rest of the young in the nest ? And what age would this be recommended ? On another note I need to clean the nest box out as plenty of poo building up and female has it on her feet when she comes out of box am I best to take babies out clean out out them back in the oldest is 2 weeks old there's 6 in total

[jellybean]

I hope some of our breeders are able to help you bezza.

[skysmum]

Hi bezza, i guess you could remove the baby's whenever for hand feeding and taming, it shouldn't upset the parents or others too much, mum and dad may appreciate the help but its a huge commitment for you, round the clock feeding and there will be no going back i feel.

I think it would be best to let mum and dad finish weening them and then you can separate them to hand tame, if you start handling them now when you clean the box its a good start. And yes its fine and important to start cleaning the box now the oldest is 2 weeks

[bezza]

Thank you this is my first time breeding although Iv done plenty of reading on the net I just find these forums are very helpful I think I will leave in the nest until weaned and will clean the box out this week thanks again

[OP]

Although I am not any kind of expert but, I think I have read in amongst all the posts that if the chicks get a build up of poop on their feet it can lead to splayed legs. I'm sure I will be put right when other more experienced members read this.

[Hezz]

The splayed legs usually occur because of not enough nesting material in the concave to give the chicks' legs the support they need to allow them to bring their feet up under their bodies. The build-up of poop on the feet can cause their feet, toes and claws in particular, to grow crooked.

[OP]

Thank you Hezz. I thought I had read not good things about poop build up.

[bezza]

I'm going to remove chicks clean box quickly put them back in tomorrow just wanted to make sure I didn't do too early etc thank you all

[Hezz]

Most people who breed have two concaves, so they can whip one out and put the other in quickly, without disturbing the chicks and mum too much.

[bezza]

I have about 15 nest boxes can I just put the chicks in a clean nest box and put the nest box where the other was and mum will still be fine ?

[Hezz]

Can't answer that one, I'm afraid. I don't know.

[nev90]

I take the chicks out and clean the boxes and add new bedding whenever they need it. The parents soon get used to it if you check the nests twice a day and handle the chicks regularly.
Some pairs can rear six chicks but if you think the younger ones are not getting enough to eat it might pay to take a couple of the older ones away for hand rearing.

[bezza]

Thank you has been a great help norman