PDA

View Full Version : Life is amazing


Strawblady2000
04-07-2006, 02:31 PM
It truly is!

So, I'm doing my morning routine yesterday. I have a few birds on eggs right now, or going to nest soon. I have a bengie pair that I was worried about because the hen laid 7 eggs and I wasnt sure when she was going to stop. I candled the eggs (without touching them, thanks to outside-hanging nest boxes) and it was a beautiful sight. Tiny red veins and a little heartbeat. Absolutely amazing how the egg works and develops. Sometimes, before hatching one can see the chick swirling around inside the egg. This was so simple, though. Tiny heart just beating away.

The heartbeat was what really made me stop and think how amazing and beautiful and simple yet complicated things are.

<insert mushy moment here>

Also, today, I was doing my morning routine...and I have been wondering about my gouldian pair that always eats their babies. The hatch date is today. I'm expecting the worst (knowing that they always eat/throw babies out) but hoping for the best.

Froom afar, I just looked at the parents, who are sitting very tightly. I noticed them eating something...looks like the little chicks have hatched, as they were eating the shells.

All I can do is check the flight floor for babies and keep my fingers crossed. Normally I have to foster, but I wanted to give them another chance. Seems in the past, the chicks hatch, the parents eat the shells, continue pecking at the babies and then the chicks are disposed of. Its sad, but Im hopeful.

On another note, my other gould pair that I've been REALLY wanting to lay seems to be getting closer to getting it right, lol. The hen is only a year old, so this is her first season. She's laid in the nest, albeit there were only 2 eggs in there (1 laid on floor of cage) so they did not incubate. But...its a step closer, lol.

Anyways...feeling a respectful to the process of life. That little heartbeat...to see it was amazing. The Good Lord keeps me in awe and wonder every day.

PAUL HEARN
04-07-2006, 07:01 PM
Hello Nikki,

The hobby of Birdkeeping/breeding is a fascinating and educational one, no matter how long you have been in the hobby, something new crops up and really amazes you, more often than most people would think.
I'm so pleased that you have shared the sight of a candled egg with us, simply because I have never seen what you have seen, yes I have candled eggs before to check that they are fertile, but that has always been that, the next time I candle an egg I will take more time to see what you have.:grin:

Onto your pair of Gouldians that have eaten their chicks in the past:-(, I hope it works out better this year.
An old Maltese Birdkeeping friend used to offer Mealworms to all of his Bengalese, Zebra and Australian Finches, not all of them took them but quite a few did, I'm wondering if you offer small amounts of Mealworms leading up to the hatch date and then increased amounts when their chicks are due to hatch that this might help with an increased source of Live protein?

Paul.;-)

Strawblady2000
04-07-2006, 07:28 PM
Thanks Paul.

Well, I tried mealworms in the past with them. Ended up with a beetle colony, lol...and not one was eaten.

They seem to be very picky. Shredded, not grated eggs, etc. I found a new seed mixture they take to, as well as their softfood. But, I also read not to give soft food for the first 24 hours after a chick hatches. I'm trying this this time.

As I said, I'm hoping for the best, while expecting the worst. Call it pessimistic, lol, but nature will do what it will do, no?

For some reason, even though I;ve candled tons of times, I really took notice to this. Veins full of blood and a tiny beating heart. Still makes me hold my breath when I think about it.

PAUL HEARN
04-08-2006, 06:49 PM
Hi Nikki,

It's a shame the Gouldians didn't take to the Mealworms, are there any other Livefoods available that you could try?

I wish you all the best with this pair, but I guess if they continue to let you down, then the next step will be fostering using Bengalese?

I will certainly take more notice when I next candle an egg to.

Thanks again for sharing this with us.

Paul.:D

Strawblady2000
04-10-2006, 03:10 PM
Weeeeeeeeee!!!

Yep, I'm doing the happy-dance today!!!

I BRIEFLY peeked in from a short distance....babies are in there, alive and being fed!!!! Not sure how many. I saw 3 for sure. Not sure if any were hiding under the hen.

WEEEEEEEE!!!!

I've had to foster every other chick from them, but doesnt look like I do this time! I know, they are only about 4-5 days old, but, hey, they've lived longer than any of the other chicks they've hatched themselves.

Wooohooo!!!

I thought of trying waxworms...but the really small ones are hard to find, unless I order them. I may try again, when my strawberries go back into season.

Thanks Paul!

PAUL HEARN
04-10-2006, 10:08 PM
Hi Nikki,

I'm really pleased for you, if it is only three chicks then it is going to be a far better result than you have had before now.;)

I wish you all the best with this clutch of chicks, and any future rounds.:grin:

Good luck to you in sourcing the Lesser Waxworms, if you can't find them in the US, I know they are available via mail order here in the UK.

All the best, Paul.;-)