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Another Hen Attacked Chicks And Mum Died..


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I have two pairs in the cage which is approx 1 metre x 1.2 long.

 

I had a hen with with 4 babies aprox 1 week from youngest to oldest.

 

No dramas between any of the birds until the second bub came out of the nest.

 

This morming I heard a comotion in the budgie cage.

The other hen had mum pinned on the floor or the cage.

There was blood everywhere. I immediatly got mum and the chic out of the cage.

The chic on the cage floor had been attacked and so had one in the nest.

 

I did all I could for mum but she had big holes in underbelly on her back and over her beak. (She didn't last long)

I now have the young and dad in a small cage inside the house.

 

They all seem to be going fine and I have been feeding the two youngest chicks Egg and breadcrumb mix.

 

I know hindsight is 20/20 and I should have taken out the other pair but everything was going fine.

 

Needless to say I don't have the other hen anymore.

 

Phil.

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We hear these stories all the time when people colony breed as you have done. Heck I even experienced it myself when I colony bred not knowing any better.

I really am sorry for your losses BUT I hope it has taught you a valuable lesson :o

any attacked birds seem to rally for a day or two and then die...be prepared for that.

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I'm sorry for your loss. I too learnt the hard way. In saying that, it's often hard for members here. We see the same thing over and over again, and give the same advice, which is often met with 'but they are fine now, they are getting along okay, we've had no problem, my birds don't fight'. Unfortunately, by the time you get problems, you often have a death or many. If you are lucky enough to colony breed successfully once, twice or a few times, it also doesn't mean it will always be the way.

 

With the Dad and chicks inside, you can have an upturned ice cream container for the younger ones to hide in. I'd also make sure to put paper on the floor of the cage, wire or not. It will make cleaning a breeze, as you can remove it and replace with fresh daily (they poo heaps). I'd also scatter seed on the floor to encourage the young ones to eat when they are ready. If you are suplimenting the young, check out the links in our FAQ's for tips and help. I'd also have some wet/fresh food in a container for Dad and chicks, with veggies like corn, peas, carrot etc... this will give them some extra nurishment.

 

As to the cage, you can put a low perch, for the chicks to get up onto when they are up to that stage too.

 

Again, sorry for your loss.

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I am sorry for your loss, but gee I would never keep 2 pair in a cage of that size, hens can be so and so s, I last year I had a the mother of one of my babies attack it because it was in her way as she wanted to go down again and it bit the young one near the cere it died a week later and i would say from shock.

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I know this might sound redundant at this point but I too feel so sorry for how you must feel right now - I have always stressed about what I could have done better -nevertheless, sadly, every tragic event is a lesson to take on. My worst was when I had moved during a time when I had Mum & Dad with one lot of bubbies out and a 2nd set of young coming. It was only a couple of weeks after my move and the eldest hen (1st daughter) attacked the 3 new bubbies in the nest. The eldest hen had her beak almost completely removed and severe head injuries - my Budgie Club fellow members advised - "put her down she won't survive". This was unbearable for me and I persisted and raised her on crumbles. The 2nd wasn't too bad - I just had to care for his wounds - butr sadly he ascaped one day - a beautiful perfect bird as he did! The tiniest baby died. I assumed maybe in the future a bigger aviary would work but my experience has been colony breeding hasn't worked for me. As a renter I can't build big enough aviaries and put in plants etc that pro's advise. Again, I truly feel for you.

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Thanks Guys.

I had already done most of that sugested.

And as I said Hindsight is 20/20.

 

Dad has started feeding the youngest two and they have all started on seed.

 

I put all the chics in the nest box and they seen to be going okay.

Tomorrow will tell but they are all tucked up nice and warm together tonight.

 

The fresh veggies will be the go tomorrow and suppliment with the egg and biscuit mix.

 

Will keep all posted and put on some pics of the survivers..

 

I put this on to warn any other newbies out there.

 

.

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Best of luck with the babies :blush:

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Thanks Guys.

I had already done most of that sugested.

And as I said Hindsight is 20/20.

 

Dad has started feeding the youngest two and they have all started on seed.

 

I put all the chics in the nest box and they seen to be going okay.

Tomorrow will tell but they are all tucked up nice and warm together tonight.

 

The fresh veggies will be the go tomorrow and suppliment with the egg and biscuit mix.

 

Will keep all posted and put on some pics of the survivers..

 

I put this on to warn any other newbies out there.

 

.

 

I so feel for you trying to do your best - sometimes the Dad as a surviver will do a great job at teaching the babies how to eat. You say you're using 'egg & biscuit' - be careful about this because some brands are full of sugars and *** whereas babies need protein. There are some good products available, I get a lot of stuff from www.wildlifesupplies.com.au here in QLD. I've had to hand-rear lots of birds with syringe or crop needle feedings. I'm currenlty caring for a sick bird on a "First Aid" for birds formula. Good luck and even if it ends with fatalities hopefully, though sadly, wisdom will be gained. :blush:

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Thanks Guys.

I had already done most of that sugested.

And as I said Hindsight is 20/20.

 

Dad has started feeding the youngest two and they have all started on seed.

 

I put all the chics in the nest box and they seen to be going okay.

Tomorrow will tell but they are all tucked up nice and warm together tonight.

 

The fresh veggies will be the go tomorrow and suppliment with the egg and biscuit mix.

 

Will keep all posted and put on some pics of the survivers..

 

I put this on to warn any other newbies out there.

 

.

 

I so feel for you trying to do your best - sometimes the Dad as a surviver will do a great job at teaching the babies how to eat. You say you're using 'egg & biscuit' - be careful about this because some brands are full of sugars and *** whereas babies need protein. There are some good products available, I get a lot of stuff from www.wildlifesupplies.com.au here in QLD. I've had to hand-rear lots of birds with syringe or crop needle feedings. I'm currenlty caring for a sick bird on a "First Aid" for birds formula. Good luck and even if it ends with fatalities hopefully, though sadly, wisdom will be gained. :)

 

Hi Folks Time flies and it has been two months since my last post.

 

Feels like I am confessing Hahahahahahahahha

 

Dad and all the babies are doing fine.

I will take some photos of them all and post them.

 

We must have done something right.

My wife was terrified of birds before this happened but she helped with the feeds and has a favorite of her own now and even handles them.

Even lets the cocatiel sit on her shoulder.

 

 

.

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Great news :gday: Look forward to your photos :)

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I'm glad it has all worked out for you and your birds.

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