robyn

Cute bubs pearce. This is the best stage I think, once your over the will they or won't they survive, hatch, etc. l.o.l

Beautiful Kaz, what is the chick with yellow flights called? is it clear flight or something else, can't get the colours sorted.

Hi All, great read from everyone, I have some caged, + couple box's on a shelf. I've decided to only breed with cages also. I am glad I haven't had some of the awful experiences some of you guys had. I only had one hen cause any problems, that was when I had loose birds as well as my cages within the aviary. She picked the cere of one breeding hen through the wire, she has gone on to raise her chicks and we divided the aviary and separated the non breeders, to save any more hassles, only one loose pair in breeding section now with 3 chicks. But when she is finished will only have cages. I think colony breeding would be okay if you knew your birds well and could nip any problems in the bud. Although I'm not willing to take the risk. Good luck either way.

Clear cere shot front on, natural light please. Pictures down again ? Hi Kaz, it's just me experimenting. I saw my post pics were gone, now I know if they are taken off p.b. they vanish off here as well. So tried to re do picture. it worked. This is the bird everyone said was a hen earlier, yourself as well which proved to be right. Thanks for that hope I didn't confuse everyone.

Good luck with your little survivor Ross, you could name it Lucky.

Opaline Cinnamon Winged Cobalt Great, Thanks Dave. I think Mum & Dad are both Type 2 Y. Face rec pied Cobalt and Sky Blue respectively. Going on reply to my post on mutations question ages ago. Sorry Dave had my parents mixed up. They are cinnamon wing sky blue cock and grey rec pied hen.

Opaline Cinnamon Winged Cobalt Great, Thanks Dave. I think Mum & Dad are both Type 2 Y. Face rec pied Cobalt and Sky Blue respectively. Going on reply to my post on mutations question ages ago.

That's great news, went for quick check on mine, I took splints off early to-day. Bigger chick is getting around fine in and out of box into cage etc. walks a bit lke a sailors roll but I think it will be fine little one is still a bit"iffy"but will climb up my fingers from one to the other so have high hopes for it as well.Shutting down comp for a while. Storm, which poses another question. Does anyone know if it's true or old wives tail that Thunder can kill chicks in eggs? Looking more positive now 'anne101' so good lesson learnt. thanks :thankyou:

Hi Macka, I've found out the hard way that was the problem. I'm not up with all comp. stuff but Kaz has merged my posts so that's why it's a bit confusing. 2nd picture shows improvement to date.

Wow lovely birds, I'd like to know some info on what the mutations are as well! no.2 and 3. (above) picture especially will keep an eye out for answers.

Thanks Kaz, I was wondering IF this is going to work. How long is long enough? Say if it has'nt fixed it within 2-3 weeks e.g. is it any use leaving them splinted longer? You really only have a window of opportunity to fix this of 2 weeks. Sorry Kaz but is that 2 weeks from hatching or 2 weeks after splinting?

Hi all, Just an update and a question. This was original picture. This is to-days picture 2 green chicks are splayed legs, still splinted. My question is what colour is next chick called? Out of another nest looks like body is very pale blue/mauve at this stage. Thank's for any help.

congratulations Kaz, but birdy doesn't look too impressed does he.

Thanks Kaz, I was wondering IF this is going to work. How long is long enough? Say if it has'nt fixed it within 2-3 weeks e.g. is it any use leaving them splinted longer?

Hi All, I am still trying to fix my little splay legged chicks. I was trying make-up sponge method. Look's to be working on bigger chick. Small one kept falling over on it's side even though I trimmed sponge back etc. It seemed to be causing damage to it's new flight feather tips from being on it's side. SO I took a gamble and tried pipe cleaners. Within a very short time it was sitting up much better and getting around box easily. I placed a loop around the ANKLE area then the other leg about the 1/2 inch apart. It's looking much more agile now so I'm keeping everything crossed still, one leg had improved a bit with sponge, maybe because it kept lying on that side? I'll check again in few days. Here's hoping.

Good luck with rest of eggs Liv. at least it doesn't look like its an infection you have to worry about.

Very pretty assortment, wish mine would pose for shots like that.

Not all of them fly or fly well ..............the splayed legs can also affect the hip and alignment of the spine. What they acchieve depends on the severity. Be very sure you keep the splint on long enough for the correction to set in place and dont be tempted to remove too early.Thanks Kaz, have checked on Sunday, some improvement in one the other still splayed so resplintered them both. Have just cleaned aviary etc the chicks are getting around reasonably well still being fed etc. caught the oldest one out of nest box sun. splints and all as well as one younger one. All other cage's doing well box no 5 who had none, now has 3. other eggs half formed dry chicks. Thank's Liv, I suppose they would only have length of aviary to fly but at least it would be excercise for them. Still got fingers crossed for good outcome.

Hi Liv , Thank's for info. wondered if they could survive if splinting doesn't work. Here's hoping these ones do o.k. If not could they ever breed etc? (If the cause was the plastic insert and not genetic I mean). I presume they could still fly it would be the landing and perching that will be a problem.

Hi Dean, They are all now on kitty litter and wood shavings on top. The larger chick has its legs up under it pretty well with the splint, haven't checked them yet Sunday will be about a week. Smaller chick is still having a bit of problem staying upright, but we're perserving. Little fellows seem okay at this stage. Hi, mysix babies, I think the larger one is sitting up pretty well, smaller one a bit wobbly on it I'll take the splints off for a check Sunday. Little fellows doing okay. now I've added firmer stuff they are scrambling around all over each other etc. Luckily Mum & Dad are still on the job. I really surprised how well they tolerate me pulling chicks in and out doing splints etc. Mum just sits and keeps an eye out but no nips or anything. Hope we have a bit of progress Sunday. Thank's for your interest. P.s Haven't got to pics yet . Thanks, that gives me some hope for them, I've been giving them a drop of calcium each, I just put it in a syringe and let it form a drop and touch side of their beak with end of syringe and they seem to suck it in. I let them take it in in case they inhale it if I forced it. When I have picked up splinted chicks they are grabbing on with their toes so I hope that means they will be able to perch okay further on. Touch wood. I'm hoping I don't have to think about that yet 'CUTE.SPANGLED.BUB' . I'm just going to cross one bridge at a time. As for the string, I think it would rub the skin off their little legs. I did wonder if you could loop those soft hair elastic (material type covering) bands around to hold them in position but will see how the sponge system works. Not ON the beak........IN the beak String is a dangerous thing to have on a chick in a nestbox. The makeup sponge stays where it is put and string doesnt.Thank's again Kaz, it does stay in place well. I have checked to see if it's rubbing them as it's been pretty warm but they seem to be okay.

Thank's for that, have added a bit more shavings to box so they all have a more solid footing. Keeping everything crossed, wont use inserts again.Will keep up calcium as added help. :rofl: Robyn they now need something more solid under them, so may I suggest ( if you have any ) put an inch of natural claybased kitty litter in the box with the shavings on top. Great Kaz, (still getting the hang of this computer stuff.) I have paper kitty litter its like hardish little pellets. Would that do until I can get some clay based litter?

Ditto from me 'my six babies' :bye:

Thank's for that, have added a bit more shavings to box so they all have a more solid footing. Keeping everything crossed, wont use inserts again.Will keep up calcium as added help.

Robyn, if you are using the makeup sponge method, cut away a lot of the excess sponge so they can manouvre better and stabilise so they dont tip over. Check distance between holes in sponge and also make sure the legs and feet get proper circulation as it can be restricted some with sponge if holes are too small.Thanks Kaz, maybe that's why little one is tipping I'll see if I can cut more away, checked that circulation is okay etc. bigger one is sitting up looking around a lot better than yesterday, thank's for your help.