Major Mitchell's and a nice surprise

User avatar
spanna
...............................
...............................
Posts: 1071
Joined: 03 Jun 2010, 16:03
Location: Bullsbrook, Western Australia
Contact:

Some probably know already, but I have had a MM cock of unknown age for a number of years now (at least 10) and a couple of years ago got him a mate from my neighbours. She was only 2 at the time, now 4, and I never really held much hope for them successfully breeding, due to her being so young and him possibly being very old!

They have always had a rather average nest log, which they spend a lot of time chewing, but last month I found an egg smashed on the floor out in the open section of the aviary! I thought they must not like the log, so was preparing to set up another I have, just haven't had the time to find a top or bottom for it. In the mean time, they laid another egg, this one landed in a clump of grass, so was whole and undamaged! Initially I pulled it out and was going to blow it, but I decided to place it in the net box to see what would happen...

A few days later I came home from work and noticed the hen missing from their usual roosting place!! My first thought was that the fabled aggressiveness of a MM cock in breeding season had occurred and she was dead in a corner, but as it was just on dark I couldn't well check. So I went out early next morning to check only to find the cock missing! He heard me coming and came flying out of the back corner, which is odd, as these 2 are pretty much inseparable usually. On the off chance I had a look in th nest box, and there were now 2 eggs! I quickly got out of there though, as both bird were hissing at me with wings spread, crests raised and feathers well and truly ruffled!

For the next few days I left them in peace, with one bird sitting tight all the time. I was quite pleased that they were at least happy enough to try breeding, whether it would be successful was another question! I had an opportunity a couple of days ago to have another quick peak and there were now 3 eggs! Then today, both birds were distracted with treats and out of eyeline of the nest, so I had the opportunity to actually check the next and candle the eggs, of which there are now 4!!! Of these 4, 2 look clear, while 2 have lovely spidery red veins developing quite nicely! Woot!
Image
User avatar
Greg41
...............................
...............................
Posts: 586
Joined: 10 Mar 2010, 21:09
Location: Kingsley Suburb of Perth
Location: Kingsley. Suburb of Perth Wa

Good luck with the MM, hope all goes well for them.

Cheers Greg.
GDG
User avatar
finches247
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 2546
Joined: 04 May 2011, 20:16
Location: Whangarei Northland New Zealand

Good Luck Hope They Hatch :thumbup: :clap:
User avatar
Myzomela
...............................
...............................
Posts: 1545
Joined: 24 Jan 2011, 18:44
Location: Melbourne Vic

Well done so far Spanna.
Fingers crossed for a successful outcome.
Either way they've done well.
Research; evaluate;observe;act
User avatar
Diane
..............................
..............................
Posts: 7402
Joined: 05 Apr 2009, 14:23
Location: Northern 'burbs of Adelaide
Location: Northern 'burbs of Adelaide

Great stuff, hopefully babies soon.
Diane
The difference between Genius and Stupidity is, Genius has it’s limits
User avatar
VR1Ton
...............................
...............................
Posts: 1889
Joined: 18 Apr 2010, 18:07
Location: Far Nth Coast NSW
Location: Far Nth Coast NSW

Well done mate, wouldn't be too worried about the age, one of my cocks is 25+, while another is atleast as old as me, although he can't breed anymore due to his leg, he can't stay on. He tries, but falls off :lol: .
User avatar
garyh
...............................
...............................
Posts: 805
Joined: 11 Sep 2011, 11:05
Location: Montrose, Victoria

Congrats ,just love those birds ,great to see in the wild, truly beautiful,garyh.
User avatar
spanna
...............................
...............................
Posts: 1071
Joined: 03 Jun 2010, 16:03
Location: Bullsbrook, Western Australia
Contact:

Hahaha, I've seen mine (ages ago) try and have a crack, only for both of them to slip off the perch. Was more than a little amusing. As always, they're first time breeders so I hold my hopes in check with a pinch of reality!
Image
User avatar
vettepilot_6
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posts: 2826
Joined: 07 Aug 2011, 17:50
Location: Childers
Contact:

Hope all goes well for you...atleast you have handraising down pat if you need too :thumbup:
The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long after the Sweetness of Cut Price is Forgotten
User avatar
maz
...............................
...............................
Posts: 351
Joined: 15 Aug 2011, 21:51
Location: highett vic

Yay and good luck, they are one of my favourite cockatoos :)
Post Reply

Return to “Parrots”