Would it be wrong to remove the hen once the youngest chick reaches two weeks or older and leave the cock (who is very good at rearing) to complete the job while the hen is used with another cock for her 2nd round (out of sight/hearing range) of the 1st cock.

I know that some top breeders are very cautious about moving hens around when they have been with a previous partner. Apparently they often get quite aggressive and cause a bit of damage if they suddenly have their cock bird replaced.

 

I would think that as far as her cycle is concerned, removing her and giving her a new cock bird after two weeks with chicks would just throw her out of sync and cause her to go out of condition. I don't know that for sure but I am skeptical as to whether:

 

1. She would accept the new cock bird having just been rearing chicks

2. She would go down to breed having just been removed from two week old chicks.

 

The idea of the cock raising the babies as they get older is that the hen gets a chance to rebuild the stores she used up sitting on the eggs and rearing the young chicks, I don't think your plan would allow for that to occur.

 

That is my opinion, people will have different views I am sure but for what it's worth I wouldn't do it.

Fair enough. There are plently of conflicting views out there, hence why I ask!

Fair enough. There are plently of conflicting views out there, hence why I ask!

 

im with hamish you may throw her cycle out but really i dont know i never done it myself

however i have removed cock bird left hen to raise then when chicks flegded replaced a ne cock after chicks get moved to kindy cage leave mum on own for week rest then put the new cock in

this way she feeds chicks not so worryed about partner missing raises clutch then rests and exepts new cock eaggerly

Removing the hen and letting the cockbird finish at that age of chicks is done quite commonly in show breeding, but more to give the hen a decent rest of a couple of weeks in a cage on her own before she goes down to breed a second time. I have heard of hens killing the second cock put with them with no time in between for a rest and while the hen is still protective of her nest, chicks and partner. That kind of quick switch around will only confuse the hen in my opinion, and cause her anxiety.

Edited November 24, 200915 yr by KAZ

Removing the hen and letting the cockbird finish at that age of chicks is done quite commonly in show breeding, but more to give the hen a decent rest of a couple of weeks in a cage on her own before she goes down to breed a second time. I have heard of hens killing the second cock put with them with no time in between for a rest and while the hen is still rotective of her nest, chicks and partner. That kind of quick switch around will only confuse the hen in my opinion, and cause her anxiety.

 

it that how they do it kaz

i really wasnt sure so i have never done it in my show birds just pets

i was going to ask how you did it but though i would just wait untill i get myself organize before makeing things more complexed

 

could you do a quick how to do in point form what age chicks can be extra or is the above it

Removing the hen and letting the cockbird finish at that age of chicks is done quite commonly in show breeding, but more to give the hen a decent rest of a couple of weeks in a cage on her own before she goes down to breed a second time. I have heard of hens killing the second cock put with them with no time in between for a rest and while the hen is still rotective of her nest, chicks and partner. That kind of quick switch around will only confuse the hen in my opinion, and cause her anxiety.

it that how they do it kaz i really wasnt sure so i have never done it in my show birds just pets i was going to ask how you did it but though i would just wait untill i get myself organize before makeing things more complexed could you do a quick how to do in point form what age chicks can be extra or is the above it

I dont remove the hen at chicks aged two weeks. I have some hens from a breeder who does this and the hens in my opinion have been conditioned to only rear chicks to the 2 wk old stage, then they either want them out of the nest and pluck them or push them out, or they stop feeding thinking their job is done. I wont do it due to this reason.

Edited November 24, 200915 yr by KAZ

Removing the hen and letting the cockbird finish at that age of chicks is done quite commonly in show breeding, but more to give the hen a decent rest of a couple of weeks in a cage on her own before she goes down to breed a second time. I have heard of hens killing the second cock put with them with no time in between for a rest and while the hen is still rotective of her nest, chicks and partner. That kind of quick switch around will only confuse the hen in my opinion, and cause her anxiety.

it that how they do it kaz i really wasnt sure so i have never done it in my show birds just pets i was going to ask how you did it but though i would just wait untill i get myself organize before makeing things more complexed could you do a quick how to do in point form what age chicks can be extra or is the above it

I dont remove the hen at chicks aged two weeks. I have some hens from a breeder who does this and the hens in my opinion have been conditioned to only rear chicks to the 2 wk old stage, then they either want them out of the nest and pluck them or push them out, or they stop feeding thinking their job is done. I wont do it due to this reason.

 

okay i will just do it the good old way

 

in time :rofl: besides their is no benifits to rushing second rounds the out come is the same

On your advice I won't be moving mum, unless she turns nasty

 

 

Baby 1

 

Baby 2

 

Baby 3 - showing some fight against the slippery table

 

 

Baby 1 - from above at 15 days

Edited November 24, 200915 yr by Daniel81

Cute chicks Daniel, what was your reasoning behind moving mum out?

Apart from wishing to pair her to another cock, which as people point out, can wait until nature is ready, there is no rush. I am slightly concerned her temperament (had her since she left her mum and dad and is a first time mum) may see her get bored or agressive (she's agressive toward me and other birds apart from while she has been breeding). Just needed to know when was a good time for the chicks to move her would be (if needed) and whether it was wise to put her down to breed again straight away. I think the it will be okay to move her back to the avairy but not down to breed straight away.

Apart from wishing to pair her to another cock, which as people point out, can wait until nature is ready, there is no rush. I am slightly concerned her temperament (had her since she left her mum and dad and is a first time mum) may see her get bored or agressive (she's agressive toward me and other birds apart from while she has been breeding). Just needed to know when was a good time for the chicks to move her would be (if needed) and whether it was wise to put her down to breed again straight away. I think the it will be okay to move her back to the avairy but not down to breed straight away.

You seems to be assuming she will become aggressive to her chicks. Have you seen signs of that ? Some who are aggressive to a bird perching too close in their space may not be aggressive parents. I would act quickly if she were to attack her chicks, but why pre empt something she hasnt done yet ?

Whenever breaking up a pairing from breeding, especially hens, they all need a fortnight or so to eat well and build up reserves before going back in the aviary...call it a holiday, a respite...but not straight back into the aviary from a breeder cage. Breeding takes its toll, and they need to fatten up a little after feeding babies before being shunted straight back into the aviary.

Is alright Kaz, birds health and well being come first. Everything else is secondary.