You all now my hen 'Sweetie' aka Godzilla, is pretty mean and nasty(I've never met another bird like her). Well her babies are now 3 weeks old, I can only get in to clean her nest box when somone else is around to block her out, so that I do not lose any limbs, eyes or nose.

Well yesterday we took the babies out and hubby held them until I cleaneed out her box which was pretty yukky, we noticed the babies tummies were really dirty and the feathers were rather sticky feeling. Mum does not go into the the box much, she is always in the cage, Dad is left to do most.

The babies look healthy, full crops etc. but we wonder what we should do.

 

a) do we sponge the babies down or are they two young?

 

do we take them and place them with a foster Mum?

 

If we foster, is it safe to put them with a Mum with one x 2 week old chick?

 

c) Or do we leave them be.

Cindy

personally if that was me, ( i have onyl breed birds this year) but i would clean them dowen with aired water, and put them back with their real parents, if they are getting fed right etc and there is no signs of agression towards them, they will get cacked up as they are all father included doing their poops in the box, so they do get very messy (Laughing out loud), but just clean them off, and dont keep them out too long then put them back, and they should be fine. Hope this helps a bit til some of the more experienced breeders come online

Love Dawn

Edited November 12, 200519 yr by telmadee

You all now my hen 'Sweetie' aka Godzilla, is pretty mean and nasty(I've never met another bird like her). Well her babies are now 3 weeks old, I can only get in to clean her nest box when somone else is around to block her out, so that I do not lose any limbs, eyes or nose.

Well yesterday we took the babies out and hubby held them until I cleaneed out her box which was pretty yukky, we noticed the babies tummies were really dirty and the feathers were rather sticky feeling. Mum does not go into the the box much, she is always in the cage, Dad is left to do most.

The babies look healthy, full crops etc. but we wonder what we should do.

 

a) do we sponge the babies down or are they two young?

 

do we take them and place them with a foster Mum?

 

If we foster, is it safe to put them with a Mum with one x 2 week old chick?

 

c) Or do we leave them be.

Cindy

 

Is it wet poo over the babies?? How many babies do you have?

I would leave the babies with their parents. Have you got nesting material for your nests? That works for me and my birds don't really get dirty.

Hi Cindy,

Just my two cents worth here - sounds like Mum is a "wet" feeder - some just are and the nests and chicks get pretty awful - if it was me - Id just add some nesting material - and then probally a little at a time so I wouldnt spook Mum (we dont want her out of the nest more than she should be - every hen is different in what they will tolerate.

Whenever I have chicks in nests I make it a point to go in the box each day - and remove what loose droppings/soiled nest material as I can - as well as clean just the feet of the birds (which are often caked with yuck - must do this VERY carefully of course,so you dont injure little toes) I also check inside the beaks - you know how sometimes food is caked in there - its easy to get out - but of course gently....sorry If Im telling you stuff you already know....I do natter on.....anyhow....

Doing this each day - you find out which chicks like people and which dont - thats for sure! I love how these birds have such different personalities - some dont mind this cleaning routine and some hate me forever for it!

Other than this - they will be preening themselves more each day as they learn it - and as long as Mum is keeping them fed - they are best off where they are....

BUT - after everyone gives you thier advice - do what seems best to you!

Cheers,

Lavender

Thanks for your replies.

1. No. it is not wet poo, it is dry and crumbly.

2. Mum does not feed her babies, she ignores them, it is left for Dad to do the caring and raising the babies.

3. Mum only goes near them when I want to clean their box, and as I said you need a welders glove

and helmet

4. There are 3 babies and i can handle them as long as someone else distracts the Mum

5. Mum tosses out any nesting materials

 

Maybe I should just ring 'childs services' and report mum for neglecting her children :(Laughing out loud):

Cindy

your chicks are to old to foster i clean my boxs every 2 to 3 days when the chicks are this old

your chicks are to old to foster i clean my boxs every 2 to 3 days when the chicks are this old

 

Thanks Hath. I clean all my other nesting boxes daily at that age, but doing hers is a nightmare.

I am currently having a cuppa to calm the old nerves then I have to go and do her nest again. Yuk, just the thought gives me the shivers

I'll also try to get some pics as two of them look white with one having a touch of deep blue and the other a lilac hue, the other looks like she is a complete grey

Cindy