Losing chicks

[iaos]

Hi folks,

While I don't have a big sample group I think I'm losing too many chicks early on (less than about 5 days).

One pair of normal zebs has not managed to fledge more than two chicks. I think in recent times they have gone 1, 2, 1, 1 and 2. I think they typically hatch about 4 and I find the dead young disposed of on the aviary. I doubt there is any interference from other inhabitants (at different times they have been with Javan munias, tri-coloured pf, goulds and stars). I think one or two have also died after fledging.

I also have a pair of first time goulds, who laid 7 and hatched 6. 2 had died by about day 2 and another 3 had died by day 4 or 5. The remaining chick died at about day 10 when the hen stopped brooding.

I think the birds get a fairly comprehensive diet. Finch mix, grass seed mix, Lowe's green seed and seeding grass

My situation was described to a well known local fincho, who said lots of breeders were having similar issues and that cochlosoma was the cause. Does this some plausible?

Cheers Ian

[iaos]

No advice on high nestling mortality or opinions on cochlosoma?

Cheers Ian

[gomer]

It may well be worth treating for cochosoma if you think its in your flock.Or get a faecal sample done.These links also describe what is happening to you by the sounds of it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9293335

http://www.finchniche.com/features_canker.php

[elferoz777]

Good luck with it brother

Just make sure you are not over checking the nests as even zebrats can get touchy at times.

[Netsurfer]

No advice on high nestling mortality or opinions on cochlosoma?

Cheers Ian

For cochlosoma you need "Ronivet" it's easily treatable. Just keep the drinking water clean and you'll be OK. It's more likely the cold that is killing them. Get one of those Reptile heating pads, cut a slot in the breeding box and slide it in, or there is an article I think by Gary McCrae on how to install a light onto a nest box to keep the young warm, I can't remember exactly but I think it was published somewhere on Marcus Pollard's web site.

[iaos]

Thanks for all the responses. I have been slack and haven't done a faecal sample.

I think it unlikely to be an issue with cold as the chicks are young and the parents still brooding.

As for loosing chicks, they seem to be at it again. Zebs went another round, 4 fertile eggs - inspection a while later no eggs no chicks. Another round from the zebs - no nest inspection but have found 4 disposed chicks in 4 days (all day old or there abouts).

One pair of goulds just hatched and fledge 2 chicks. Another pair of first timers hatched 1 and disposed it at about day old. A third pair, the pair that previously hatched 6 have hatched another 6. I inspected the nest a few days ago when the chicks looked about 3 days old and today I found a disposed chick. Fingers crossed they are getting the hang of it and the other 5 survive.

Cheers Ian

[finchbreeder]

Having more problems with fledglings dying when moved into the holding avairy than in previeous years here. Think it is this very cold start to winter, and poor winter rainfall (less natural greens).
LML

[deegs]

Mice in the aviary?

[iaos]

I'm nearly 100% confident that there is no mice in the aviary.

I have since moved the zebs on and one of the gouldian pairs that had issues are about to fledge 3 chicks (fingers crossed).

Cheers Ian

[Benniee]

Hi Ian,

Only just came across your thread - sorry to hear about your problems this season. I've had two pairs of Goulds set up for breeding this year, one pair are about to fledge their third nest(3+3+3). In their second nest they hatched 4 chicks but one died within a day or so. The last time I checked their nest there were 3 hatched and a couple of eggs to go.

My other pair had no success at all - went down on eggs but ended up with nothing. This hapenned a couple of times. I suspect that mice were disturbing this pair so I've moved them back into my aviary until next season.

How did your Goulds go with those 3 chicks?

Ben