Leaving the Nest

In addition to nestling foods, I like to offer a quarter of hard boiled egg as soon as the first chick leaves the nest. They will nibble on the yolk edge before eating any other food.  Once weaned, I discontinue pure hard boiled egg as I want them to fatten up a bit.

Round Crest Stafford Nestling

Few chicks are hatching now as my birds have decided it is time to quit. I am really happy to have crested chicks and this nest of only two has two crested. The chick with the darkest crest is one day younger but its crest appear narrow while the other chick is amazingly round!

Updated photos taken May 23, 2013

New Hand Feeding Tip - Open Up

When hand feeding very young newly hatched and again when they are nearly weaning age, the chick may clamp down its beak and refuse to open up for feeding.

An easy way to encourage the bird to open its mouth is to run some warm water into its beak first to get it started eating from the spoon. Once it tastes the water, it will accept baby bird formula too.

Bloody Wing

 Not sure what happened but the cage door was open and blood was all over a young German Roller.

 Using cool water, I carefully washed away the blood and turning the wing over, I discovered a broken feather which was bleeding. This was removed to stop the bleeding and today he looks great again.

Admiring Some 2013 Chicks

So many beautiful new chicks thought I would share a few photos with you. Click on each photo and enjoy a peak at this years crop!

Weaning age Border Chick

Sibling of Above Border Chick

 

 Cinnamon Variegated Young Border

Another Cinnamon Variegated Younger Border

 Columbus chicks just banded.

 German Roller chicks leaving the nest.

Wow! What a Stafford Youngster!

Just banded Stafford chicks.

Brain Teaser - Chicks look so different?

Can you explain this nest where the chicks look so different?

Updated photos May 23, 2013

 Stafford Fostered Chick

German Roller Chick

Every Birdie Welcome

What an exciting day! These Columbus Fancy chicks hatched this morning on their 13th day of incubation! When everything is near perfect, chicks often hatch on the 13th day.