tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5206760154173299151.post5502984402428824365..comments2024-03-05T11:38:41.279-08:00Comments on Canary Tales: Plucking BabiesLinda Hoganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09453591933437696987noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5206760154173299151.post-48691988557045041532012-07-01T11:29:54.320-07:002012-07-01T11:29:54.320-07:00hi,
my canary babies have just fledged. but they h...hi,<br />my canary babies have just fledged. but they have very little feathering apart on thier wings, and i am worried the mum is plucking them? <br />regardsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5206760154173299151.post-81965754413269744632009-06-11T00:19:54.819-07:002009-06-11T00:19:54.819-07:00Howzit Linda and everyone in the BLOG,
In SA this...Howzit Linda and everyone in the BLOG,<br /><br />In SA this feather plucking is also common especially among new colour canaries. Very seldomly have I had it with my Borders. I agree that some of the best ways to prevent it is the early introduction of the new nest and also ensuring that the hen has plenty of nesting material to work with. I like the idea of stuffing the new nest so that it distracts the hen from looking for more nesting material. I have also heard that using cotton wool helps to reduce the hens desire to line the nest with the soft down feathers! The method is to break off pieces of cotton wool and process it so that it becomes finer in texture and light. The hens seem to like the soft lining for the eggs/ new born chicks.It is for this reason that I prepare my hessian a little differently now, I cut into pieces and then soak in pool chlorine for a day or two. This makes it softer. Then to improve it further I soak in some fabric softner. When I offer it, it comes out nice and comfy! <br />I agree that many times the amount of available protein in the diet can increase the hens desire to pluck, but I have found this especially true during the moult, and only when I did not feed enough animal protein. The birds would pluck each other and then almost try to get the animal protein from the plucked feather! Now that I feed lots of protein, I have not had this happen in the my last two moults!<br />For the writer, if possible, I would move the birds to a double breeder and separate the parents from them with a wire divider, so that the hen will continue to feed the chicks through the holes, but will not be able to get to them to pluck them. If they are badly plucked and only after they are weaned, I would put them in a hospital cage and provide some heat so that they dont get a chill whilst they grow their new feathers.<br /><br />Regards,<br />ShawnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com