Problems with ring the chicks.

Tontana · Snr Member Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 77

Ok, let's see if I can translate this properly...

My hen's eggs has hatched and I now have three beautiful and healthy chicks in the nest. Due to cites and the laws in Sweden, kakarikis has to be...err, marked with a ring on their legs, the best translation I can find.

There was no problems with marking the two first chicks, sure they struggled a bit, but it was no big deal. I marked them when they were seven days old, one of the rings slipped of and I marked the chick once again, no problems.

But now...I simply can't get the ring on the youngest chick who is now a week old. He/she is such an fighter! Struggles with everything she/he got, making it even more difficult...I managed to slip the ring over the toes, however, I couldn't get past the joint (or whatever you call it)...I gave up after some minutes. I was simply afraid of hurting the chick...

But still, the ring needs to get on. Does anyone know some kind of..err, substance? (finding it hard to find the right word..) which could make it easier for the ring to slip on, one that won't hurt the chick?

And another thing that worries me...might this chick simply be too big for the ring? So even if I can get it on now, won't it simply hurt him/her later on because he/she is too big for the ring? The rings are 4,4mm. In that case, I guess I just won't be able to mark this chick.

I appreciate all the help I can get :)

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

We dont ring our birds espec the breeding pairs...we and others have lost a couple due to getting caught on things...

A small amount kitchen vegitable oil helps
If a ring is a little too small...using a pair of long nose pliers or criclip pliers inside one can stretch the closed rings a little.
Failing that
u may have to go cut/open ring.

Your translations are very good.

Tontana · Snr Member Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 77

Yeah, I'm a bit spooked by the rings, doesn't feel that well marking them...I wish the laws were different, but then again, I understand why they are there...all I can do is hope for the best.

Thanks alot, I'll both try to make it a bit bigger and use the oil as soon as the little one has gotten some rest :)

Peter · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 15, 2004 Posts: 599

Hi Tontana,
7 days is to early. I start to ring them from the 9th day until the 14th day depending on the sexe. Males grow faster compared to females.
It goes easier when you hold the chick in such a manner that his head is pointing to your elbow. Move the 3 longest toes with the same hand through the ring. Now push away the ring while gently rubbing it with 2 fingers until he moves over the joint and the 4th toe.

Tontana · Snr Member Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 77

naughtyniike · Snr Member Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 77

i use rings that you close round the leg rather than slip them on. try ebay i have managed to buy them from there from time to time.if you cannot get them i would be happy to send you some.

Tontana · Snr Member Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 77

Ah that would be great :)

Alas, the closed ones is the only ones which are approved here in Sweden...rings which you only can buy from the the Swedish Association of Bird Hobbies (gosh, I hope I got that right)

But I really appreciate your offer and help, thanks :)

naughtyniike · Snr Member Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 77

gosh i hope you manage to get one on.if you held the bird could someone else slip it on for you. Think

Tontana · Snr Member Joined: Nov 13, 2007 Posts: 77

I gave up tonight. I've tried everything that you've told me (except making the ring bigger, we didn't have the right tools) but the foot is surprisingly just too big. And it's just too stressful for the chick and the parents as well to keep trying.

I don't get it..he's so young and yet the foot is too big..there was no problems with his siblings.. I guess this little individual is a big one and that just how it is.

I couldn't help but to come to think of this post http://kakariki.net/ftopict-421-testosterone.html and it might be a wild guess - but can that have anything to do with it?

I guess I'll just have to keep this one and hope that he'll get along with his parents. And as a note to self I guess I'll order some bigger rings, just in case something like this happens again

Once again, thanks for all the advice you've given me :)