I Have an Aviry aprox 3m x 3m with scattered nesting boxs and also a couple of smaller breeding cages, there are plenty of empty nest's so I've no idea what posessed them to share one.

I hadn't thought of "candleing" the eggs so I think I'll take your advice and do that, and pull one pair out and put in a breeding box.

They have now hatched 3, 2 at the same time and one 6 days later and also kicked 3 eggs out

 

Thanks for your advice, I'll let you know what happens

Edited April 16, 200718 yr by wackka

It would be very hard to do anything too disruptive at this stage since the eggs have started hatching, BUT you are about to experience some very difficult problems.

1. As there are 12 eggs and the possibility most of them will hatch...you need a lot more room than the average nesting box for the babies. The average nesting box struggles for space with 6-7 chicks and adults.

2. After a few have hatched the rest of the eggs will get so much poop on them that they will contaminate and the other chicks due to hatch will in all probability end up dead in shell.

3. At the stage of mothers/fathers feeding babies you may well end up with fights over chicks and which fathers ARE or AREN'T allowed into the nestbox to feed babies. As Fathers see it as their job after a few days and will fight each other at the nestbox entry to gain access over the other cockbird.

4. You risk fights over feeding babies partway through the raising of the babies as each father deems it his job to step into the nest box and "help". This will mean fights, injuries and deaths.

5. You may have babies attacked.

 

So, you have to ask yourself....

** is there room for all these babies in this nestbox ?

** is there room in this nestbox for 4 adults in and out and all the babies ?

** do you want to risk lives

** are you prepared to hand feed a lot of babies due to fighting parents possibly causing abandoned chicks.

 

Plan of action might be

1. candle eggs to determine hatchability

2. Leave only a sustainable amount of eggs in the nest and ONE hen to raise them.

3. Work out who the pairs and leave one pair in charge of the nest with around 5-6 eggs and remove the other pair.

4. Allow the other pair to start again elsewhere...ie a breeding cage.

 

Might I ask, how many pairs of birds you have in what kind of space. How many nesting boxes they had to choose from and where were the nesting boxes placed ?

 

 

PS I have experienced all of the dangers I have spoken about in the PAST and a chick with its face ripped off by a hen (not its mother) is not apretty sight, as is the same situation when cockbirds fight over who owns the nest and hen and chicks.....and slaughter ensues.

Edited April 12, 200718 yr by Kaz

I'd be a bit worried about what will happen once the babies start hatching. That could end in competition and chicks getting hurt. I'm sure an experienced breeder will be along to give you more advice.

 

Feathers.

 

oops, there you go - Kaz and I posted at the same time