Not Again

[Harvey11]

Well just checked my baby Canaries and all but one is dead.
What the hell am i doing wrong.
They where all happy babies yesterday and now 3 are dead.
It looks like the mum has sat to tight on them again.My friend and bird dealer said to get another hen as our hen is no good for breeding.
Should i remove the dead babies?????
I have been really looking after my birds,clean water,good seed,clean cabinets,egg mix,green seeds ect ect

Harv

[SamDavis]

I'm no expert on canaries and it's a bit hard to see clearly in the photos, but they don't appear to have anything in their crops (the one on its back at least). This means mum hasn't been feeding them. Is it her first clutch? If so then she may get the idea with the next clutch. Maybe you can try handfeeding the remaining one to get its strength up so it will beg more actively? And definitely remove the dead ones.

[Simba]

Hi Harvey

Sorry to hear that, don't know much about canaries but yes you should remove the dead babies as soon as posible, as they will decay and cause sickness to the other one.

[Harvey11]

First clutch no good,this clutch not looking any better.
I have seen the male and hen feeding them,all was fine yesterday.
I will now remove the dead babies..

Thanks
Harv

[Diane]

Oh, sorry to hear that Harvey.
Sometimes things just go that way. Not a lot of help I know.

On a more positive note if you get another pair of canaries and swap partners, you might just end up with two good pairs. Or as others have said a new hen.

[mackstaa]

Keep trying buddy
Sounds like your doing all the right thingsd and ticking the right boxes. Just remember less disturbing the better.
Let them raise this one if they do well good news and they should raise a full clutch next time.

[Harvey11]

Removed the dead babies,i put some extra paper in the nest so the hen will not sit to tight..
I did notice that there were only 2 dead babies 1 baby was missing from a clutch of 4 so left with one.


Harv

[mattymeischke]

Really sorry to hear that, Harvey.

I hate to say it, but could there be mice around? Just a thought....
I've had it where mice scare the hen in the night and the babies freeze because they're uncovered. The mice have sometimes even eaten babies, which might explain the missing one.

It can be a heartbreaking business, this birdkeeping.
Good luck with the last chick.

[Harvey11]

Cleaned the cabinets today and no sign of mice,no droppings anywhere and the mice baits have not been touched but i am keeping a close eye out for them..

Here is a pic of the last canary baby looks like it could have spread legs....

[jusdeb]

It also looks young enough to correct any leg issues by itself ...Wonder if felt might be a good nesting material as it is easy to grip onto .
Or even the non slip soft rubber you can buy in rolls .