Behaviours of BFPF after young have hatched
Posted: 05 Mar 2012, 19:33
Hi,
I am after a bit of advice here.
This morning I went to check on things and found two chicks & one egg ( maybe < week old, eyes still shut, etc ?) on the ground, dead ! I am assuming the chicks came from the BFPF since they are nesting in direct line to where I found the chicks about 0.5m away. I examined the chicks and it appeared their crops were full, and they appeared with no deformities? I don't have any forensic experience to determine one way or another. The disturbing thing is that this is the second time this pair have done this. ( i assume they are throwing / carrying the chicks out). I can hear other chicks in the nest calling (for food?), and I assume they are being ignored, and will soon die. i do not go near or touch the nest and only by chance i observed a BFPF sticking its head out one day from this nest. This is exactly what happened to the previous brood. The BFPF are in a mixed collection so I am theorising that 1.) too many other distractions or interference, 2.) not being fed live food, 3.) other factors I do not understand, 4.) "I" have too many birds in the aviary. I do give them greens daily when I am around. However I am not always at home during the week to observe what goes on, since I travel away for work a couple of days. I am starting to think it is my behaviour that is contributing to the mortality, (ie overcrowding).
Many thanks
BJ
I am after a bit of advice here.
This morning I went to check on things and found two chicks & one egg ( maybe < week old, eyes still shut, etc ?) on the ground, dead ! I am assuming the chicks came from the BFPF since they are nesting in direct line to where I found the chicks about 0.5m away. I examined the chicks and it appeared their crops were full, and they appeared with no deformities? I don't have any forensic experience to determine one way or another. The disturbing thing is that this is the second time this pair have done this. ( i assume they are throwing / carrying the chicks out). I can hear other chicks in the nest calling (for food?), and I assume they are being ignored, and will soon die. i do not go near or touch the nest and only by chance i observed a BFPF sticking its head out one day from this nest. This is exactly what happened to the previous brood. The BFPF are in a mixed collection so I am theorising that 1.) too many other distractions or interference, 2.) not being fed live food, 3.) other factors I do not understand, 4.) "I" have too many birds in the aviary. I do give them greens daily when I am around. However I am not always at home during the week to observe what goes on, since I travel away for work a couple of days. I am starting to think it is my behaviour that is contributing to the mortality, (ie overcrowding).
Many thanks
BJ