Natural weaning starts from when they come out of the nest....When the isis is formed, they can then be removed from the parents. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:23 pm Post subject: weaning
Steptoe wrote:
Natural weaning starts from when they come out of the nest....When the isis is formed, they can then be removed from the parents.
Thanks for that. Maybe I should be a bit more specific. I have been hand feeding my chicks for a while now and am wondering if i should start giving them solid food now
I/we have never hand feed Kakariki...NZ DoC, native bird , permits policies
They come out oif the nest just as the yellow spot on the back of the neck is nearly covered, and are able to fligh in a manner of speaking (not just flap around aimlessly) within 2 or 3 hrs.
They then start feeding themselves then or the followng day Plus parents still feed.
Kakariki in nest boxes that are a little short are known to come out before the yellow spot is nearly covered and will feed themselves earlier. _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
Hi Bertman I find that when the birds are almost fully feathered and are picking around in their box or cage you can start to give them some soaked seed and vegies just a small amount so they get used to what it looks and feels like and you will find that they will pick at it but it will take a while to for them to eat enough to keep their weight on. They will also lose interest in their hand raising food as they learn to eat more but still keep their feeds going untill you can feel food in their crop last thing at night. Kakarikis usually wean fairly quickly once they start. Cheers Jenny
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 12:29 pm Post subject: weaning
hilly wrote:
Hi Bertman I find that when the birds are almost fully feathered and are picking around in their box or cage you can start to give them some soaked seed and vegies just a small amount so they get used to what it looks and feels like and you will find that they will pick at it but it will take a while to for them to eat enough to keep their weight on. They will also lose interest in their hand raising food as they learn to eat more but still keep their feeds going untill you can feel food in their crop last thing at night. Kakarikis usually wean fairly quickly once they start. Cheers Jenny
thank you jenny, that was most helpful. I might be a bit early cause they are not quite as feathered as you descibe. They are eating less hand food and I read that after the growing phase, they loose weight so they can prepare to fly and at this time they start weaning as well. Given the fact that they have been eating less for the last 3 days I figured that they should start weaning now. Give it a few more days I assume. If you have more suggestions I love to hear them.
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