Major Mitchell's and a nice surprise
Posted: 02 Oct 2012, 13:48
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!
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!
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