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Post by darrenandamyse on Jan 30, 2021 7:35:12 GMT
I’m worried we won’t have enough space. Is there still time to change? Eggs are just starting to develop. Also, I have a pine box but no concave. The top lid only opens, I’m nervous how I will keep it clean. I can’t find descent boxes anywhere online.
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Post by skysmum on Jan 30, 2021 21:59:27 GMT
I wouldn't disturb things now in case she abandons the eggs. Without a concave the eggs may not be incubated properly if they roll out of the way. As you say cleaning will be tricky you will just have to do the best you can when the chicks are old enough. I would put some more shavings inside because when the chick's hatch they could develop splayed legs with such a flat slippery floor. Good luck with them
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Post by Morgan on Jan 31, 2021 4:39:18 GMT
wocal may be able to provide some insight. Perhaps yellowfacedviolet as well? Not sure. I wouldn’t change anything either just in case - and shavings might help them not to roll around as well during incubation, as well as helping with splayed legs. Just make sure it’s budgie friendly wood shavings. I can’t remember why things like paper towels are not recommended...
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May 3, 2024 14:14:32 GMT
Deleted
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2021 11:02:23 GMT
I read somewhere that paper towels don't allow enough grip for the babies' feet.
If you're adding more shavings would it be possible to maybe compress a section of them to make a slight concave?
I have never bred birds so that's just an idea that would need running past one of the members who knows.
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Post by yellowfacedviolet on Jan 31, 2021 16:51:45 GMT
I read somewhere that paper towels don't allow enough grip for the babies' feet. Hmm, perhaps there's a difference between the texture of paper toweling available here in the USA and what you have available there. I've used it without incident, but it is very textured, coarse stuff.
That said, I also coarsely sand and distress the floor of my nestboxes to create a rough surface to ensure good footing.
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Post by Morgan on Jan 31, 2021 19:21:43 GMT
Are concaves absolutely necessary? I have heard some people swear by them and others bah-humbug them. So I presume it’s whatever makes you more comfortable.
I have also seen someone use a thin square piece of wood with a circle cut out of the middle and placed on the floor of the box to create just a tiny little lip that the eggs can rest inside. That is something that could be added into the box easily enough I think.
Some people say to add lots of shavings even if mom throws them out, while others say her own dropped feathers from her brood patch will be enough to cushion the eggs themselves. Once the babies are hatched though pretty much everyone agrees that some sort of bedding (usually safe wood shavings, and not dusty ones) should be supplied for the babies to grip and not become splayed. Some believe that splay leg is more genetic than environmental too. And I don’t breed either, have just read a lot about it because I may someday soon(ish).
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Nov 16, 2020 8:47:48 GMT
wocal
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 51
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Post by wocal on Jan 31, 2021 19:30:17 GMT
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Post by Morgan on Jan 31, 2021 19:46:37 GMT
I think wocal has given excellent advice from experience, backed by plenty of research and knowledge of how to do such things properly. In contrast, the lady I got my last budgie from had another pair that would not stop laying. She sold them to someone who said they had experience with budgies and could handle that situation, and wanted to keep the eggs. They took the nestbox with eggs in it and the pair, but the hen threw the eggs out and stopped laying (this would have been her second clutch anyway, so probably best for the health of the hen). It sounded to me like they left the nest box attached to the cage during the drive, rather than separating the parents from the eggs for the trip itself. The hen stopped laying at her new location, presumably from the stress of the move. Just wanted to share that anecdote to compare what can happen when moving eggs properly vs improperly. It seems to me that you are being very conscious of the comfort of your birds 👍
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