Dave_McMinn
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Posts posted by Dave_McMinn
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Why do you think you are having such trouble breeding the birds? Stress of the move?
Yes, and them getting used to a colder climate and smaller aviary spaces.
Single mother ... you mean no cock bird to feed her or help with feeding?
Oh my deary dear that is a lot of chicks to take care of. How often are you topping up the little ones and is she holding her own condition okay?Mind you if she's anything like her mother (RIP Omelette) this won't phase her
However, I have been finding that it is between week 3-4+ that the food requirements really increases, much more so than in the little chickies up until that age ie, 14 days.
Her cockbird died the day after two fosters were added to the nest. Nowhere else to put them. I try and do at least one whole feed per day, and a top up at night time plus seed and millet in nestbox, soft food by the bucketload. This hen doesnt want the softfood however and does it all on seed and water. I persist with the soft food.
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I also have a shared breeding right now between the YF DF spangle hen of Livs ( 12th at the Nationals ) and a skyviolet normal cockbird of Rob Dunstans. Rob bred the father of the YF DF Spangle. Thankyou Liv for the lovely hen and her siblings
Here she is as a chick
and as she was around the time of the Nationals
Her parents
and here is her partner
He's better than the photo shows...he was amidst racing from perch to perch when I took the photo.
They currently are going for their third egg.
She was the sister to the feather duster's right? Can she carry the gene?
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Why do you think you are having such trouble breeding the birds? Stress of the move?
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the BRASSEA auction will have some good starter hens - it is on Sunday
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Coming along well Renee
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So I put Pair 11 down about 2 hours ago, thinking they would need a box soon. Anyway, i just did a quick check as the hen was in the nestbox, and she has already layed her first egg. I am feeling a little psychic as the moment, so grab a pen and paper as the lotto numbers for the next draw are ..............
Has the hen been running with the cock.
Because 2 hours,is not long enough.
Lucky you are here Macka or I would not have known -
Yes, they have been paired up in the aviary for a little while now and if any other cock even goes near this hen, the cock shoo's them away very fast.
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So I put Pair 11 down about 2 hours ago, thinking they would need a box soon. Anyway, i just did a quick check as the hen was in the nestbox, and she has already layed her first egg. I am feeling a little psychic as the moment, so grab a pen and paper as the lotto numbers for the next draw are ..............
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this is absolutely normal behaviour
they may even engage in sex, that is normal behaviour. She will not nest unless you provide her with a place to nest
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Update time
Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 3 chicks now - 2 red eyes
Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 5 chicks now - I think twitch is split blue, opaline and cinnamon. Mum (Albino) could be masking blue or grey,opaline or cinnamon. i do not know. Oldest looks blue or grey though.
Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - still only the 1 chick but quite a few eggs remaining
Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - after losing the eldest pale chick they are now back to 2 good looking chicks - 2 eggs remaining
Pair 5 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to Green Hen - hen is soon to lay hopefully
Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Light Green Cinnamon Hen - nestbox being examined by hen
Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - preening and looking for round 2
Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - Hen to lay anyday now
Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 1 chick going very well - a green opaline hen(?)
Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Green Hen - new pair put in today. Experienced hen might be more useful here. We will see. Probably last chance for her to breed age wise - no nestbox yet.
Pair 11 - Sky blue cinnamon wing cock to greygreen hen - these two paired up in the aviary and were already mating. I gave them a nestbox straight away the hen went straight in there. She might be ready to lay already. We will see.
Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 1 chick (DMC 003 12) - the youngest looked to have hatched too early, and so it passed away. sad.
Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 3 chicks - great mum - all three are rung now
Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - 6 eggs - not sure if any eggs are fertile - might be too early to tell.
Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 7 eggs
Garage
Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - No movement means this paring might be scrapped altogether.
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I took some pics of the chicks in the nest, plus a new pair.
Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 3 chicks - 2 lutino hens and one cock
Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 5 chicks
Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 1 chick
Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 2 chicks
Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 1 chick going very well - a green opaline hen
Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 2 chicks - I might need to foster the youngest due to the age gap
Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 3 chicks - great mum - all three are rung now
Also new photos of Pair 6 - and yes, she has a drop of Ivermectin about 2 days ago. She will be fine.
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I have 16 cages all up, with one not very hopeful in the garage with Quiche, but 17 chicks all up after round 1. I am very pleased with this Splat.
The surprise has been the albino hen - great mother and very fertile with 5 chicks and 1 egg still to go.
A lot of 1st time mothers as well, so that is good.
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With little happening yesterday, it seems like a maternity ward in there last night.
Update time
Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 3 chicks now - 1 fertile egg remaining
Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 5 chicks now - 1 eggs remaining
Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - still only the 1 chick but quite a few eggs remaining
Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - after losing the eldest pale chick they are now back to 2 good looking chicks - 2 eggs remaining
Pair 5 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to Green Hen - hen is soon to lay hopefully
Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Light Green Cinnamon Hen - nestbox added today
Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - preening and looking for round 2
Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - Hen to lay anyday now
Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 1 chick going very well - a green opaline hen(?)
Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - looks like 1 egg may be fertile - if this does not hatch by friday this pair will be "redistributed"
Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - none of the 10 eggs layed were fertile. I have my doubts about the hen. i have removed the nestbox, they will get a couple of days recovery, then a new pair will be put in.
Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 2 chicks (DMC 003 12) - the eldest will be a an opaline dommie pied like mum - probably grey
Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 3 chicks - great mum - all three are rung now
Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - 6 eggs - not sure if any eggs are fertile - might be too early to tell.
Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 7 eggs
Garage
Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - if no movement in the next 5 days, the nestbox will be removed. Not sure what will happen from there.
Very pleased that all young look healthy with a total of 17 chicks and a few more eggs to hatch hopefully
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with all the moisture, I really think you need to reconsider the flooring. The slab is a pain, i know, but it is the best idea. My brother-in-law just did a small slab for their aviary and put a drain in for hosing out. Looks great.
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I think you are on the money there with your combination of factors.
Being to young means he cannot eat, stress means if he could he would not eat and the cold night will negatively impact on them.
You may not see him drink, remember this. Birds to drink, put their head down. This means they cannot see around them. They are less likely to do this when there are other noises around that might worry them, like us. In a big flock - like in an aviary, or even in pairs - there is someone looking out for them when their head is down. Think Meerkats and the lookout post -
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so your weight cannot be supported
water proof pain or not, I can see the wood rotting. i think you should rethink this
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If the stilts are only 15cm tall, why are you bothering with them at all?
The metal floor is a good idea as it cannot be chewed through. How will you clean out the aviary? Will the metal floor be able to take you weight? I am assuming you plan on being able to enter it. If the answer is yes, then once more I ask - why stilts?
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The eldest in the nest of Dumb and the light green spangle (Pair 4) was found dead in the nestbox this morning. It was not a surprise as the little one was always very pale. When you see this you have your doubts that the little ones will survive. You want little pinkies, not little faded out's. The younger sibling is the normal more vibrant colour so that is good.
No more hatchings to report. All looks good.
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breeding is not all beer and skittles is it?
Sorry that you lost the little one Splat. maybe it was not meant to be
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help me out here -when you say probably dead, are you unsure if they are dead or not?
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Sketch might help. i am having trouble picturing it
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Really? Stilts? Why?
Why facing North? Can you get it facing east? Always better to get the morning sun.
What are you making it from? Material wise?
If it is on stilts, how will you get into it?
What will the floor be made of?
What sits underneath the aviary? As in, what do the stilts sit on?
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Can the pair in the garage hear or see activity in the aviary ? Could it be too far away or too quiet for encouraging mating behaviour ?
also a hen napping in the bottom of the cage is a worry...........I would pull her out.
The pair in the garage can definitely hear the birds in the breeding room as well as the ones in the aviary. we have had rain today and now we have sun, so the birds are chirping like there is no tomorrow.
Napping is probably the wrong word. She is not sick, definitely not sick. She is just a young hen finding her way. It is actually funny, not worrying. You know when you see a bird doing a complete twist by hanging on the side of the cage and twisting inside out? Well she is like this.
I will monitor her closely though.
I am putting a new pair down in a few days, so it might be two new pairs if I am not happy with her.
Really Dave you can only have as many Breeding Cabinets as you have time to look after everyone. And you lead a very full and busy life so I think perhaps less is more in your case
I disagree Renee. There is an old saying that says "If you want something, you will make time for it". My restrictions are space, not time.
So whilst I am sure that your comment above was genuine, the "less is more" argument in my case is utter rubbish. Sorry. That is just the way it is here.
Oh no no no no nooooooo.
This is what happens when I am flippant.
I am so sorry you took what I said so seriously Dave.
okay, apology accepted Renee.
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Update time
Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 2 chicks now look good - 2 fertile eggs remaining
Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 4 chicks now - 2 eggs remaining
Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - 2 chick - 3 eggs
Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 2 chicks and well fed - 3 eggs remaining
Pair 5 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to Green Hen - hen is soon to lay hopefully
Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Light Green Cinnamon Hen - still no bonding. hen naps on the bottom of the cage
Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - eggs candled and removed.
Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - Preening and feeding, preparing for Round 2
Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 1 chick going very well (DMC 001 12)
Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Double Factor Yellow Spangle Hen - looks like 1 egg may be fertile - if this does not hatch by friday this pair will be "redistributed"
Pair 11 - Green Cock to a GreyGreen Hen - none of the 10 eggs layed were fertile. I have my doubts about the hen. i have removed the nestbox, they will get a couple of days recovery, then a new pair will be put in.
Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 1 chick (DMC 003 12) - no other eggs are fertile
Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 3 chicks
Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - 6 eggs - not sure if any eggs are fertile - might be too early to tell.
Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 7 eggs
Garage
Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - if no movement in the next 5 days, the nestbox will be removed. Not sure what will happen from there.
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how big will the slab be you are laying to put it on?
which way will it face? Is there an option?
Oh my deary dear that is a lot of chicks to take care of. 
How often are you topping up the little ones and is she holding her own condition okay?
Mid 2011 Breeding Journal
in Breeding Journals
Posted
Not much to report, 1 new chick born. Steady as she goes otherwise.
Pair 1 - Caesar and GreyGreen Hen - 3 chicks now - 2 red eyes - some fostered eggs but no expecting much from them
Pair 2 - Twitch and Albino Hen - 5 chicks now - I think twitch is split blue, opaline and cinnamon. Mum (Albino) could be masking blue or grey,opaline or cinnamon. i do not know. Oldest looks blue or grey though.
Pair 3 - Son of Dumber (RIP) and daughter of Twitch - still only the 1 chick but quite a few eggs remaining
Pair 4 - Dumb and Light Green Spangle Hen - 3 chicks - 1 egg remaining
Pair 5 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to Green Hen - hen is soon to lay hopefully
Pair 6 - Opaline Grey to a Light Green Cinnamon Hen - nestbox being examined by hen
Pair 7 - Grey Cock to an Opaline Grey Spangle Hen - preening and looking for round 2
Pair 8 - Cobalt Cinnamon Cock to a Sky Cinnamon Hen - Hen to lay anyday now
Pair 9 - YF Opaline Sky Cock to a Light Green Spangle Hen - 1 chick going very well - a green opaline cock(?)
Pair 10 - GreyGreen Cinnamon Cock to a Green Hen - new pair put in today. Experienced hen might be more useful here. We will see. Probably last chance for her to breed age wise - no nestbox yet.
Pair 11 - Sky blue cinnamon wing cock to greygreen hen - these two paired up in the aviary and were already mating. I gave them a nestbox straight away the hen went straight in there. 1 egg layed but she was unhappy with this so she removed it. This pair might want to start anew. Who knows what hens think?!?!?!?!
Pair 12 - Green Cock to a Grey/Blue Opaline Dominant Pied Hen - 1 chick (DMC 003 12) - Dommie pied grey cock?
Pair 13 - Grey Cock to a GreyGreen Cinnamon Opaline Hen - 3 chicks - great mum - all three are rung now
Pair 14 - Captain Jack (Light Green Cinnamon Cock) to an Albino Hen - 6 eggs - not sure if any eggs are fertile - might be too early to tell.
Pair 15 - Violet Opaline Cock to a Grey Hen - 7 eggs
Garage
Pair 16 - Quiche (GreyGreen Opaline Spangle Cock) to a DF White Spangle Hen - No movement means this paring might be scrapped altogether.