Handrearing - weight gain

pabloc · Joined: Sep 26, 2007 Posts: 988

that avatar is one of the chicks that I handreared, cutest thing ever

it's normal that in the beginning they only "crack" the seed but they don't eat the kernel yet, but they learn quickly, just keep some soft-foods available to them, they play with it and eventually learn to eat it, also the hard-seeds

keep us updated with their progress and don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have
very few guys here handrear but a lot of stuff is applicable, that's why I always suggest people to watch 1-2 parent-raised clutches before they attempt hand-rearing, you learn a lot by watching the parents

a good buddy of mine, also Spanish, what she does is leaving the chicks with the parents and feeds them a syringe everyday, and they are as tame and as sticky as if they were fully-handreared, but with a lot less work
and other guys like Steps just handles them in the nest once in a while and they are all over him (check pics in the gallery)
I also handle them in the nest and they readily come to mess with my shoes and shoelaces, even perch on my shoulder