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
Maybe this comment is in the wrong section. But I have a question regarding my canaries. I bought a pair (male and female) about a year ago. Every time the female has eggs (usually 4-5) they don't hatch. Then I read somewhere that maybe the male does not have strong sperm. So I went and bought another male and switched the males (of course letting them get accustomed to each other before) and the same problem persists. Then I went out and grabbed another female and gave it to the previous male that I had switched with. Even with the new male and female I don't get anything hatching. Is it possible that these birds I happen to have are sterile? They are very healthy and both males have loud and strong singing. Am I missing something? Their food is the regular seed mix, I usually give them an egg every week or 2, and fruits & changing water on the daily. I spoil my birds, whats going on?
ReplyDeleteEach of us successful breeders had to learn to work with our birds and facilitate the breeding process.
ReplyDeleteInfertility is usually not due to sterile birds but rather birds that are not in full breeding condition when the eggs are laid.
What kind of canaries? How many hours of day light? Any inconsistency when the birds are getting up or going down for night? Do you use a light timer? Does the male feed the hen? Do you see the hen begging for mating? Have you used extra vitamin E? Is the male too fat? Does the hen have some fat layer?
Thanks for the quick reply, I do not have a clue as to what kind of canaries they are. I live in Lebanon where im guessing the number of day light hours are appropriate for the birds. I have not noticed anything unhealthy whether its sleeping their diet or visually. Except the male once had a ball like swollen toe, disappeared after I put betadine and some other cream after about 2weeks. I do not use a light timer. I have noticed the male kissing the female and feeding her (while she sits on infertile eggs). But not notice the hen begging to mate. The males are quite average as compared to other canaries I see on youtube and petshops. As for the hen she might be a bit chubby (not too much) but im not sure if she has a layer of fat or not. I would like to send you pictures of them if possible maybe you will have that basic instinct to spot something I don't. Thankyou for your time
ReplyDeleteDay length is very important as well as inconsistency. The sun getting them up and putting them down works well if they are in a private area where no lights are turned on after dark.
ReplyDeleteThe male feeding the hen is good and the hen being chubby is also good as she will lose weight feeding chick. Look at her abdomen and see if it is glossy red and feels hot.
You likely can get wheat germ oil used for horses and coat your seed as recommended on my blog.
Also the quality of egg shell is important. If they are too thin they will dry out rather than hatch. Check about getting liquid Calcium gluconate in a place with cattle supplies. Also either microwave a couple a minutes or baked hen egg shells and then process in the food processor and feed free choice. When making egg food use the whole hard boiled egg with shell.
Have you ever had the boiled egg in the food 'turn' and make your birds I'll ? Is there any way to prevent egg food poisoning ?
ReplyDeleteHey Linda I just wanted to share something with you, yesterday night I saw the male sit/sleep in the nest beside the female. Have you ever noticed that? It was soo cute. I don't know what that means but its the first time I see that happen. I took a picture of them. But happened to wake up the male. I would like to post the picture.
ReplyDeleteMy egg food is fed in open dishes and packed in egg drawers. I also make barely moist. It dries out rather than spoils. Even when my aviary is over 90 degrees F, I have not had it spoil.
ReplyDeleteIt is so cute when the males sits to the side of the hen on the nest! Not many do it but a few will!
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