Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 6:08 pm Post subject: Is this a problem?
I spent a bit of time today observing my 6 months old cock and 8 weeks old hen, which I have recently placed in a 1800 X 700 X 900 suspended flight. I saw the hen asking to be fed, which the cock was more than happy to do. I guess they have different agendas her: Young hen still likes a bit of parental feeding on the site and mature cock is ready to mate.
Does this make sense and can this be a problem?
This is infantile behaviour. The cock sees no difference between a chick begging for food and a mature hen which is ready to mate. This is a widespread fenomenom in the world of birds. This habit prevents the female of the cock's aggression. She uses the same body language of a chick begging for food.
Because Kakariki become easy into breeding mode, you can often notice a cock which tries to mate with a chick. The edge is very thin.
[quote= This habit prevents the female of the cock's aggression. She uses the same body language of a chick begging for food.
quote]
Hi Peter,
Thanks for you reply, or should I say, hartekijk bedankt voor het beantwoorden van mijn vragen. I may have left Holland 5 years ago but my Dutch is still pretty reasonable
So what you are saying is that it serves a purpose and all is well and just let it be? What if the hen becomes more mature and stops begging? You are saying that hen does not know that she is not ready yet? Or what if the cock keeps feeding but does not get what he wants?
So what you are saying is that it serves a purpose and all is well and just let it be??
The young hen enjoys to be fed and from the male's perception there is no difference between a young hen and a hen who is pleased with his attention.
Bertman wrote:
What if the hen becomes more mature and stops begging?
The begging will decrease to a minimum. As she grows to maturity she becomes more independent concerning food but the begging will stay a part of the daily activity. From the hen's perception the feeding (parent) male switch gradually over to a partner.
Bertman wrote:
You are saying that hen does not know that she is not ready yet?
Yes.
Bertman wrote:
Or what if the cock keeps feeding but does not get what he wants?
It happens that a male is so full of hormones he starts to attack the hen. In that case I remove the male.
Because Kakariki become easy into breeding mode, you can often notice a cock which tries to mate with a chick. The edge is very thin.
Peter sums it up well...
We find a male parent will reconise one of his chicke when young
So not an ssue, but a male with a young female intoduced... doesnt
yes its a fne line...
I would look at separating...even a temp partition in the flight...they will stiill feed tru the mesh ok. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
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