With all this rain, I had no choice but to put mum near the dad and babies for a day, This morning I caught the dad feeding for about 10 secs then trys to jump on the babies back - Obviously have at least two females... (Laughing out loud) I moved the mum again but he is just ignoring them wanting food.

I am going to remove him and just finish raising them however the eldest two wont eat from me, last few times I tried anyway... So I'm very worried about doing this. They are both fledged but still feeding quiet regularly from dad.

I feel this is my fault as I left them near each other for a day, But it was either that or get babies soaked.

Any advise - I figure feed four times a day anything else?

Edited March 22, 200817 yr by Daz
spelling and grammar

This behavior is quite common... my male is doing it to his chicks too... He gets confused as the beg for food from the chick is like the mating acceptance from a hen...

Sometimes the begging for food can confusing the bird as it's close to the mating behaviour of the hen as well. Make a small hiding place for the chick like a cardboard box or ice cream container to get away from behaviour like that. Or if the bub is old enough and trying to eat some seed move in with the hens.

So do I take hm out? Or leave him?

When it hapens to me i remove the Hen and any of the fledged chicks and put them in a separate cage together until the chicks are weaned and dad can raise the other chicks that are still in the nest..

 

BUT You have a troublesome hen right??

They will need their dad if there is no one else to feed them until they can eat on their own.

I'd leave the cock there. But make sure the chicks are getting enough to eat. Sometimes (rarely) the cock will not feed the chicks.

Cool, Ill leave him there. Thank you. He is feeding them mostly the older two so ill leave them to it and just keep my eye on them.

Are they all out on the floor of the breeder cage or are you still using the nestbox ? If still using the nestbox, then babies in a container on the floor of the cage would be better, and the nestbox blocked off from view. In his mind he is in a breeder cage for a reason and he is getting confused. Fledged babies although hesitant at first will eat when hungry and they are more likely to graze from the floor of the cage. So a flat tray of seed, mashed boiled egg, fine sliced greeen and grated carrot will entice them to try and eat. One starts and then they all do.

Edited March 22, 200817 yr by KAZ

thats no good!!

sorry I can't help! because I know nothing about nests or babies!!

GOOD LUCK

Good luck with it all. keep us posted with what happens.

Kaz, Do you mean the ice cream container set up? Ill do it today. Ill take the breeder box out. Will the youngest stay in there. The other two spend most their time grazing around cage. They all still use box and they all sleep in there.

Kaz, Do you mean the ice cream container set up? Ill do it today. Ill take the breeder box out. Will the youngest stay in there. The other two spend most their time grazing around cage. They all still use box and they all sleep in there.

There is always a reason for suggestions made. The container idea was best to implement days ago...it would provide him with focus and they are there in the cage visible always and there to feed everytime he gets food for himself and everytime they beg for it.

When a Dad has to feed babies, its best to put them in a container on the floor of the breeder cage so he gets down to the business of feeding them and doesnt have to look for them or remember they are in the nestbox.

Use the container with nesting material in it...daytime no lid and with the top open, nightime flipped over with lid.....as shown in earlier pictures

Edited March 23, 200817 yr by KAZ

okay sorry, I misunderstood you before.