February 22, 201114 yr The older chick is now almost 2 weeks old I would keep an eye on the parents - i think one of them might be plucking them. the oldest should have fluff starting to show all over its body
February 22, 201114 yr The older chick is now almost 2 weeks old I would keep an eye on the parents - i think one of them might be plucking them. the oldest should have fluff starting to show all over its body but dont worry to much as most birds take the down its the feathers you need to watch out for you could try prevent further removal by getting a product called stop pick you can get it at pet stores works 85 percent of time works on new mums some birds are just built into it though and pluck regardless of what you try these hens are no use exept for first two weeks of raising young Edited February 22, 201114 yr by GenericBlue
February 23, 201114 yr Author I went over to the stock feed store near my place and they've never heard of hens plucking chicks....so it is safe to say hat they don't hold anything to stop it lol. There are 3 pet shops in my area and no one seems to have heard of 'stop pick', so I've decided to have a little faith in my hen and hope that she will stop once the pin feathers come in. Speaking of which... The oldest chick is starting to get some colour, despite the lack of feathers. I'm not sure how old until you can tell the sex of the chick...but from its cere I'm guessing female (so I'm going to call it a she until someone or the chick corrects me) It is a very distinct shade of blue and I was wondering if you can tell variety from this? (if not I can wait ) Also...Another Pinky Hatched Today! Doormat is on a roll here. There is only one un-hatched egg left, but whether or not there is something in there I can't say (my candling torch broke again and I'm waiting for one I bought from ebay) So now there is 4 happy naked chicks in the nest. I got my mother to finally come out and have a look at them, and she commented on how doormat will just stand at the door of the nest box and wait for you to finish. She doesn't squawk or peck, she's a very well behaved and patient mother A top notch first time mum, especially now that she's not feeding air anymore.
February 23, 201114 yr My very best hen Omelette always plucked the down off her babies and stopped once they got pin feathers. You can try putting food ( millet sprays ) in her nestbox or something wooden to chew on.
February 23, 201114 yr well those pictures don't look as bad as the one before. and GB and Kaz are right it normally stops with the pin feathers
February 23, 201114 yr I had the same problem last year early on, drove me nuts almost every nest, I tried everything, vasoline on the babies, baby oil, in the end I soaked the silverbeet in salted water over night once a fortnight and put a pinch of salt in their soft food and they seem to stop.. They use to have salt blocks in the breeding cage but I found in the winter with the moisture it would disolve. So I chucked them plus the huge one I bought 20kg one. lol. A breeder told me not long ago to rub minced garlic on them the hens hate that and they stop, I have not yet tried it. Mince garlic in a jar from the supermarket.
February 23, 201114 yr Author Hmm, i have some minced garlic. If it doesn't stop at the pin feathers I will try that splat. I'm thinking maybe she did it during those really hot days we've been having recently, maybe to reduce heat for the baby? I'm not sure, but I'm keeping an eye on her and I've put a big stick of millet in there (which is probably gone by now lol)
February 23, 201114 yr The millet will help too, it drove me nuts last year because some of them were plucking and drawing blood and I was running out of nest to put them, I had to send 2 lots of babies to 2 different breeders places to save them. But some just plucked the down off and then left them alone and it all grew back, lets hope yours stops at that stage too.
February 23, 201114 yr I'm thinking maybe she did it during those really hot days we've been having recently, maybe to reduce heat for the baby? Ummm................NO
February 24, 201114 yr hey maddy! glad to see you have some healthy chicks on the way!! cant wait to see there feathers =] good luck with them, it will be your first time being a budgie mum. Are you going to keeep all the babies?? From Grant.
February 25, 201114 yr I'm not sure how old until you can tell the sex of the chick...but from its cere I'm guessing female You are right as it looks like the chick is Opaline (white down) - as only dad is Opaline she has to be a hen.
February 25, 201114 yr Author I really want to keep this updated as much as i can without it being excessive The oldest chick is growing more everyday. I caught dad feeding her this morning which gives me some confidence in his fathering skills. I find it funny and cute how the chicks lay down on their backs to be fed. Anyway, i got some more pictures of the oldest chick. It gets more inquisitive every day. I got a little worried about its legs as they seem to spread out a little when its on my hand. But I usually just tuck them back under its body and its fine
February 25, 201114 yr Check that babies tail..... seems to be bloody from plucking and that can damage chances for a full tail to grow in if the Mum keeps at it.
February 26, 201114 yr Author I only saw poo when i took that photo and when i checked her this morning there was no blood either...just more poo. So I think it might be tricksy light that makes it look like blood. But I'll double check today, really take a good look, and I'll grab some photos of the tail for you.
February 27, 201114 yr how are they going??? would love to see some more picture updates! =] =] very excited to ssee how they will turn out all the best Alpaca-boy.
February 28, 201114 yr Author I wasn't able to get any pictures the other day, but i did a thorough check and there was definitely no blood. But I really do appreciate your concern Kaz They are going really well. The oldest chicks pin feathers are getting longer every day, and the cheeky bugger now sticks its head up at me when i open the nest. I've also had to poke her back into the nest when she walks to the front door. The second oldest (which is a week younger than the oldest) Is getting bigger too. I was getting worried because it only had one eye open for a few days, but now both are open and its well fed. It also looks like a hen as it is getting white down. I will get some pictures and post them later today.
February 28, 201114 yr Author Okay, picture time Chick #1 She's getting so cute Chick #2 I've rung this chick 3 times now because it kept falling off. But I keep putting it back on there, and hopefully it will stay this time. Its giving me some much needed practice as well. It also looks as though it has white down, so i guess its hen #2 as well Chick #3 Chick #4 All very well fed as you can see There is also an egg that has been sitting in the nest for a few days past its hatching date. I was just giving it some time just in case...but I'm pretty sure its DIS, as it showed signs of fertility when i still had my candling torch (still waiting on my new one)
February 28, 201114 yr Looking good Maddy, can't wait to see them a bit older with more feathers. keep up posted.
February 28, 201114 yr Okay, picture time Chick #1 She's getting so cute Chick #2 I've rung this chick 3 times now because it kept falling off. But I keep putting it back on there, and hopefully it will stay this time. Its giving me some much needed practice as well. It also looks as though it has white down, so i guess its hen #2 as well Chick #3 Chick #4 All very well fed as you can see There is also an egg that has been sitting in the nest for a few days past its hatching date. I was just giving it some time just in case...but I'm pretty sure its DIS, as it showed signs of fertility when i still had my candling torch (still waiting on my new one) Really nice clear photos Maddy and the chicks are real cute
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now