Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2016 10:28 pm Post subject: Widow hen sitting on eggs??
Hi all
Long time between posts. My love for kaks has not diminished but my time has.
I need advice:-
New pair, gorgeous, bonded red fronted kaks
2 previous clutches - 6/7 eggs fertilised and hatched
all died
they didn't know what to do.
empty crops ( I did try one attempt to foster but failed, due to not prepared for 2 day old chick in cold weather)
They succeeded on the third try, with 3 healthy well fed chicks.
Today one chick fledged. soo happy
Today one FATHER got out!!
Distraught!!!!!!!!
Mum is sitting on six eggs in the second nest box.
I have the fully feathered, fledged and nearly fledged chicks with me to handfeed tonite and in the early hrs before I head to work.
I know they have amazing homing skills. he proved it by circling back...even coming to the front of the aviary mesh to see into his flight....
Im not too worried about the chicks
I have enough experience to h/r at this age
BUT
Will mum be ok?
Will she continue to sit, incubate, feed herself and raise chicks????
I have other males and females, not bonded, but uncertain if they would be good dads (newly purchased from breeder).....
Any advice PLEASE
OK to capture dad
get one of those live rat traps with spring loaded door.
Set with fruit veggies seed inside and place on top of the aviary close to where he has been hanging around.
The failure of the initial batches will be due to parents being several generations into being hands raised.. most animal species having off spring is instinctive yet raising the instinct diminishes over only several generations.
As to the female finishing off raising.. I can only comment on acvary raised parents....If `1st batch have a 60/40 chance the female will carry on, or if female goes, the male will carry on feeding but unlikely to sit on eggs.
If into 3rd plus batch... then either patent go missing the other will tke over and raise the chicks.
If have other birds near by, espec if in line of sight of the nesting box area, then they will spend too much time defending that area rather than looking after eggs or young. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
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