Box Humidity

[**Liv** 0]

I have a breeding pair that goes through an entire drinker of water every single day. The bedding in the nest box is continually damp and i have to keep changing it. Its not smelly at all, i am just wondering if the hen is drinking the water and regurgitating it in the nest to increase humidity????

 

I have considered reducing the amount of water i supply this pair, but worry of depriving the chicks if she still wets the nest first???

 

The chicks are all doing great. its the nest box i am worried about... as the pine concave is swelling and now wont come out for cleaning any more

Edited July 13, 2009 by **Liv**

[**Liv** 0]

*Cough* :what:

[mattdog2 0]

Hmm interesting, The 2 baby tiel's of mine that died today had a similar problem... the shaving's were damp... i would imagine it's the humidity which is creating the air to become moist...and the poop to become more moist and possible when they moved around it moved the poop around in the mixture of shaving's causing it to dampen...??? usually heat contributes to it.... Hence, the heat mat was on 24/7 for the tiel's.

Edited July 14, 2009 by mattdog2

[Richo 0]

Is it possible they are "working up a sweat" a la "before the children come along", wink, wink. Perhaps you will get a MONSTER clutch!

[GenericBlue 0]

liv i was ready it could b a dietary imbalance on the hens behalf

it suggested putting more saw wood shavings or even to remove chicks to another nest

i have only ever had one hen like this and i cleaned box like 3 times a day

seemed worse when chicks hatched and she started feed try a peace of white bread daily

also try putting another concave ontop of other one and see this works as you can make despozable ones to use daily

not to thick out of thick cardbord boxes with nesting matirial onto of that

worked for me

will look it back up for you and get back tomorrow k see what exactly they ment to be lacing if any thing

[**Liv** 0]

She has 6 chicks - three of her own and 3 fosters. I can not foster these chicks as she is my foster

There is no smell associated with the dampness and the chicks are all clean.

 

I keep thinking she is deliberately wetting the nest - she did it with her first clutch as well, but i thought it was a leak in the shed roof at first - she is in a totally new location this time so its not a leak

 

Thanks GB, The dietary imbalance sounds interesting - i wonder what it would be?? She has lots of shavings in her nest too. I love your idea for keeping the concave dry.

[GenericBlue 0]

She has 6 chicks - three of her own and 3 fosters. I can not foster these chicks as she is my foster

There is no smell associated with the dampness and the chicks are all clean.

 

I keep thinking she is deliberately wetting the nest - she did it with her first clutch as well, but i thought it was a leak in the shed roof at first :thanks: - she is in a totally new location this time so its not a leak

 

Thanks GB, The dietary imbalance sounds interesting - i wonder what it would be?? She has lots of shavings in her nest too. I love your idea for keeping the concave dry.

 

well that seemed to work for me i havent had time to look what imbalance they think it is but will do that now while cooking tea

[GenericBlue 0]

okay LIV I LOOKED UP THE PAGE I WAS READING woops sorry

and it doesnt state what the inbalance may be just that it is due to a dietry inbalance in her matabolism as i said

sorry i could be of not much asistance it justs sugests plenty of saw dust but recomends removal of chicks

but thats not going to b a posability so.....

my chicks were fine im sure your last ones were so id just make sure plenty of dandylines chickweed bread mabe a bit of yeast powder if you prefer that

let me know how it goes

[Richo 0]

But really, box humidity!!! Where is Dr. Nat when you need her...

[ghazzigh 0]

hi was reading this and was thinking its because

 

1/ too hot for all of them what i mean is

 

2/ 6 chicks and then the adults in breeding box gets very warm well mine have done you can feel the heat sometimes when you are looking in yourself

3/ sometimes positions of boxes get more sun heat ect but like i said when you are lucky and have a decent number of babies and then the adults and if they are a reasonable size the hens do this trying to get the temperture down because the smaller spaces heat up with all their bodyheat

forgot to mention i fixed mine by supplying a open clip on dish up on the wire out of reach of young babies the hen used to go have a bath and then go in got the heat down they also used to pant a bit when hot before i did this dont know if yours do

its important you still have your normal drink container

Edited July 15, 2009 by ghazzigh

[Richo 0]

In all seriousness this is winter, a cold one at that... but hey, I love to be wrong...teach me...

[**Liv** 0]

Thank you GB and ghazzigh, your comments are much appreciated. It is interesting about the box being too hot, i hadn't thought of that. They are in an uninsulated breeding room so the temperatures are between about 10 - 19 degrees over 24 hours. She is mostly still in the box, so it may be a heat thing. The hen has a pretty good diet, however that doent rule out a deficiency in something. I will keep a close eye on them

[mattdog2 0]

hi was reading this and was thinking its because

 

1/ too hot for all of them what i mean is

 

2/ 6 chicks and then the adults in breeding box gets very warm well mine have done you can feel the heat sometimes when you are looking in yourself

3/ sometimes positions of boxes get more sun heat ect but like i said when you are lucky and have a decent number of babies and then the adults and if they are a reasonable size the hens do this trying to get the temperture down because the smaller spaces heat up with all their bodyheat

forgot to mention i fixed mine by supplying a open clip on dish up on the wire out of reach of young babies the hen used to go have a bath and then go in got the heat down they also used to pant a bit when hot before i did this dont know if yours do

its important you still have your normal drink container

Not necessarily, i've seen hen's raise clutch's of up to 12 in summer and not have this problem.... i would have to say she is deliberately wetting the shavings.... i cant think of anything else.

[ghazzigh 0]

In all seriousness this is winter, a cold one at that... but hey, I love to be wrong...teach me...

 

 

maybe winter but hens sit tight large clutch smaller area healthy parents it happens well to me it did occur oh and i had a lot of trouble with the babies climbing out earlier than usual later on to get away from the heat you could feel how warm they were

Edited July 15, 2009 by ghazzigh

[Richo 0]

A poisoned dog will purge itself by lying at a stream and DRINKING... could there be something relevant???

[Catherine 0]

I haven't met that before. I've just observed the hens dipping their breast feathers in the bathing dish periodically and heading back into the nest. I supposed it was to keep the humidity right. I have only had my birds breeding in summer though, when over heating is an issue.

[Richo 0]

Perhaps she is mentally imbalanced...and there is no solution.

[renee 0]

Hi Liv, just read your post. I too would think of a dietary imbalance more than anything.

 

I would reduce her intake to 50mls a day, that is plenty.

 

In Rob Marshall's latest book he talks about wet nests, p309:

 

"Wet nest problems may occur when nestlings are between 10-15 days of age as a result of mineral salt (electrolyte) imbalances occuring in their parents. An electrolyte imbalance, which induces an excessive thirst, is created when mineral salts are not provided in sufficient quantities after the transition from crop milk to whole seed feeding. The resulting thirst causes parents to feed too much water to their young so that within a few hours the entire clutch is producing watery droppings that quickly creates a wet nest."

 

In effect the parents will tire of feeding the young, the chicks then have stunted growth and the wet nest is a fertile breeding ground for bacterial growth.

 

A dry nest is a healthy nest!

 

I provide Murphy's Minerals and FVite in small cups.

Edited July 15, 2009 by renee

[**Liv** 0]

Thanks for that info Renee. It looks good. Mine don't get mineral supplements, so this pair must be missing something the others are not. she will eat an entire cuttle bone in a day or two too.... I will get some Minerals for her and see how it helps. the chicks are not stunted at all, but she is starting to look tired. I might take her out and let the cock finish.

[renee 0]

If the problem is not addresses then the negative consequences will ensue.

 

But you shouldn't have any issues if you correct it quickly.

 

Remember the stunted growth happens 'cause the parents are feeding water to their chicks, not enough seed.

[GenericBlue 0]

this is very good info renee

i knew it was caused by inbalance but not from what

i guessed iodine

is that salt or what as i was going to introduce rock salt to my breeders cage but was told i didnt need to as iodine was salt

is this so ?????

[**KAZ** 0]

this is very good info renee

i knew it was caused by inbalance but not from what

i guessed iodine

is that salt or what as i was going to introduce rock salt to my breeders cage but was told i didnt need to as iodine was salt

is this so ?????

A few breeders have HORSE LICKS in their aviary for the birds need for salt and minerals.

[GenericBlue 0]

A few breeders have HORSE LICKS in their aviary for the birds need for salt and minerals.

 

yes i almost brought one last week but the dude at the grain store said mabe i shouldnt as they for horses

so he suggested the rock salt

but then someone else said i didnt need it as i supply birds with iodione block charcoal block and cuttle fish bone so....

wouldnt hurt to add rock salt also though would it

Edited July 16, 2009 by KAZ

[**KAZ** 0]

yes i almost brought one last week but the dude at the grain store said mabe i shouldnt as they for horses

so he suggested the rock salt

but then someone else said i didnt need it as i supply birds with iodione block charcoal block and cuttle fish bone so....

wouldnt hurt to add rock salt also though would it

Apparently the horse lick ones are fine for budgies but dont buy the cattle ones.

Edited July 16, 2009 by KAZ

[GenericBlue 0]

Apparently the horse lick ones are fine for budgies but dont buy the cattle ones.

 

 

yes thanks kaz but is iodine salt ??? thats what i really wanted to know soz to be pain

Edited July 16, 2009 by KAZ