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Post by moonkira *Julie * on Jul 5, 2013 15:30:04 GMT
I heard little chirps coming from the nesting box yesterday but I am afraid to check incase I upset the hen I dont want to frighten or worry her so have left her incase she has other eggs that havent all hatched yet . when do you think it would be ok to check on her because the breeding box only has the slide up door and not the type that you can open the top.
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Sept 28, 2024 1:25:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2013 15:57:03 GMT
Tap the box and she should fly out then you can have a quick look, she will soon go back in when you leave.
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Post by moonkira *Julie * on Jul 5, 2013 16:57:59 GMT
Ok thanks, I will give that a go
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Post by Gaile on Jul 5, 2013 17:34:38 GMT
its best to start checking the nest box once the hen starts to lay. That way she gets use to the knock and you looking in by the time the eggs hatch !
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Sept 28, 2024 1:25:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2013 17:45:01 GMT
My hen would leave the box as soon as I opened the aviary door, she started popping back in before I had left eventually.
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Post by Learner on Jul 6, 2013 0:21:31 GMT
Sounds really exciting. Let's know what you see soon!! Anyone remember the pop-song "Knock, knock. Who's there?" Was it by Mary Hopkins? (Showing my age)
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Post by moonkira *Julie * on Jul 6, 2013 10:16:42 GMT
Well I tried the knocking and nothing doing the cock bird went in the nest as well so i tried a few more times and still they wouldnt come out , And if she hears or sees my going through the door and she`s out she dives straight back in
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Jul 6, 2013 11:12:42 GMT
When I bred two pairs of my budgies last year I started knocking on the nestbox door from day one. Twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, I would tap tap tap and then slowly slide open the door. The hens soon learnt what this meant and grew to trust me. Its essential that you start now because you will need to keep an eye on the babies to make sure they are being fed and for later when you start to handle them. Oh and make sure you thoroughly wash your hands with unscented soap before touching the nestbox or babies because if you don't the mother could reject them.
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Sept 28, 2024 1:25:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2013 12:35:11 GMT
I would open the top and try and shoo them away gently after tapping the side. Just have a very quick look to start with then build up the time until you can pick the babies up. You may need to clean their feet at some point as they can get caked in poo and that can cause damage to them.
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Post by Moogie on Jul 6, 2013 14:04:15 GMT
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Post by moonkira *Julie * on Jul 6, 2013 17:45:06 GMT
Just tapped the box and slid open the box and had a quick look and there is one big chick and one tiny little one and still eggs left to hatch . The hen just moved down to the other side of the box so I closed it up quicky
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Sept 28, 2024 1:25:04 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2013 18:01:31 GMT
Just tapped the box and slid open the box and had a quick look and there is one big chick and one tiny little one and still eggs left to hatch . The hen just moved down to the other side of the box so I closed it up quicky Sounds like she's doing a good job.
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Post by moonkira *Julie * on Jul 6, 2013 20:59:14 GMT
Is it normal to have one baby thats big and others that are tiny but obviously the bigger one hatched first and I heard cheeping on thursday coming from the box.
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Post by Rachael Kellett on Jul 6, 2013 22:03:26 GMT
Is it normal to have one baby thats big and others that are tiny but obviously the bigger one hatched first and I heard cheeping on thursday coming from the box. Great news Yes they grow really quickly so it sounds normal.
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Post by Hezz on Jul 7, 2013 1:20:38 GMT
Good work, henny. Just keep an eye on them, Julie.
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