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Post by Hezz on Sept 1, 2013 1:19:50 GMT
She is a doubly lucky hen then, to have a good mate to help her out as well. That's really touching, isn't it? I'm going "awww" here.  |
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
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Post by marleen4 on Sept 7, 2013 1:56:17 GMT
One egg has hatched, and many more eggs to go! |
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Sept 7, 2013 10:14:04 GMT
Yeah!!! Chicks Pictures, coming soon  |
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Post by Hezz on Sept 7, 2013 10:38:33 GMT
Oooooo! Chicks!!!! Well, chick, one, anyway. More to come to be sure. |
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
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Posts: 334
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Post by marleen4 on Sept 8, 2013 9:15:11 GMT
And I found another new chick today! Pictures, I'll try...  Meanwhile one of the boys has taken ill. He is breathing heavily, and is all fluffed up.  This has been going on for at least a week if not longer. Sadly he is not feeding his mate who is sitting on 5 eggs. There is a risk of starvation and leaving or eating her eggs, so I've taken to feeding her puha (also known as sonchus or sow thistle) straight into the nest box, a leaf every 2 days. She protests heavily when I put it in, but eats it quickly once she discovers that her intruder is delicious! She comes out to eat seed of course, and I hope this is enough to sustain her. Taking the boy to a vet is pretty much not worth the stress. I have not discovered a avian vet yet, and other vets I've spoken to have not known much about small birds. Any suggestions on how to deal with this situation welcome! Most years I have had one more cock than hens per aviary, but not this year and this could have been a mistake. Today I even rang a pet store to see whether they have any male budgies. As the breeding season has only just started they had some birds they could not yet sex. This won't help for this situation, so can wait. |
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Post by Hezz on Sept 8, 2013 9:42:03 GMT
Are you able to foster some of the eggs to another hen and cock with less eggs?? Hope the cock gets back to full health and soon. The whole "family" needs him fit and healthy. Good luck with him, Marleen. |
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Sept 8, 2013 12:00:25 GMT
Remove the cock as it is not good for hen and the (future) chicks. Put millet spray near her in the breeding box so she don't have to come out very often.
Foster 3 eggs to another pair. She will be able to feed and raise two chicks on her own.
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
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Posts: 334
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Post by marleen4 on Sept 8, 2013 19:29:10 GMT
Thanks!!!! Will do and let you know the outcome....
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Post by Hezz on Sept 9, 2013 0:25:28 GMT
Good luck, Marleen. |
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Sept 9, 2013 10:28:15 GMT
Thanks!!!! Will do and let you know the outcome.... You're welcome |
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Post by skysmum on Sept 9, 2013 17:22:37 GMT
Just catching up with the breeding threads, good luck Marleen cant wait for pics, so glad your little female got over her attack she's a tough little cookie . |
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Apr 21, 2012 20:15:21 GMT
marleen4
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Posts: 334
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Post by marleen4 on Sept 10, 2013 10:58:48 GMT
Thanks skysmum, she's tough indeed and happily creating a new family as we speak. No holding her back! Meanwhile the poor cock has died, not unexpected as he looked quite ill. It takes a lot for them to look ill, so I knew he was likely to be suffering. Poor buddie, at least he is at peace now. His "widow" keeps looking for him, and is asking the other 2 cocks to feed her which they are politely refusing. I followed the advice by Hezz and BudgiesBuddy and moved 3 eggs to other boxes. As I did this I realised that one hen has several chicks, but she is very protective and I had not seen them yet. Little bold helpless creatures, very beautiful! The millet spray is hanging near the opening of the nest box (I considered hanging it inside, but decided against this), and I will keep feeding her a leave of puha every second day, which should be about right in terms of what the other birds eat. I also give them a hard boiled egg each week, not sure how to get this nutrition to her but hope she will find this when I put it in the aviary for all to enjoy. I'm crossing fingers that all will continue to go well. She's a first time mum and looking a bit distressed, I'll have to keep an eye on her. She is missing her mate, no doubt.  The other birds show no sign of illness, so hope it was not infectious. I'll have to keep an eye on them too. Sigh, I wished I could pay more attention to the happy side of having chicks! Poor buddie, he was a lovely yellow faced skyblue spangle. I hope he will have some babies soon! |
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Post by skysmum on Sept 10, 2013 14:34:45 GMT
Ohhhh im so sorry Marleen, poor little chap. I so hope mum gets her bearings and manages to take care of the babies herself. I was going to have another go at breeding but since Teddy's diagnosis of a fatty tumour this is now not possible for him and time is ticking on i think he is too old now. Im also wondering if i can stand the stress, its rough when you loose them and start having problems. I truly hope things start picking up and go smoothly from now on. Keep us posted.
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Post by Hezz on Sept 11, 2013 0:39:47 GMT
Poor little hen! I hope all works out for you and her ......... good luck!  |
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Sept 11, 2013 11:48:44 GMT
I am sorry for your loss the cock.
Are you colony breeding?
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This has been going on for at least a week if not longer. Sadly he is not feeding his mate who is sitting on 5 eggs. There is a risk of starvation and leaving or eating her eggs, so I've taken to feeding her puha (also known as sonchus or sow thistle) straight into the nest box, a leaf every 2 days. She protests heavily when I put it in, but eats it quickly once she discovers that her intruder is delicious! She comes out to eat seed of course, and I hope this is enough to sustain her.
