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Post by Laraine on Sept 24, 2011 7:43:13 GMT 10
My female Plumhead keeps laying eggs but soon after I am finding them broken open. I don't know whether it is the female or male doing this as he goes into the box as well. I haven't bred Plumheads before, is it a vitamin deficiency? Can anyone offer any advice.
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Post by Robyn on Sept 24, 2011 17:39:53 GMT 10
Laraine, there are many reasons why birds break their eggs or kill their chicks. Do you know the history of the birds? Sometimes they are sold on for that reason. They could be destroying the eggs entering or exiting the box in a hurry. Or it's possible they don't like nest inspections. Do the eggs get broken not long after nest inspections. Also would there be anything bothering them at night. New parents?
I wouldn't think they are vit deficent.
If you have other parrots incubating eggs you could put the plum heads eggs under her & give the plum head dummy eggs to sit on until her eggs start to pip. Hopefully she won't kill the chicks.
A friend of mine has trouble with his Alex's killing the chicks as soon as they hatch. We let her sit on the eggs until a day or two before they, then take them & i rear them when they hatch. Last year we only saved 2 chicks from each clutch, this year we got 100% success, saved 7 little babes.
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Post by Laraine on Sept 24, 2011 18:53:24 GMT 10
Hi Robyn
Thanks for your input. I bought the hen 2 years ago as a very young bird. The male was young too and didn't have his colours. This is the first year I have tried to breed them. I must admit I have been peeping into the nest every day (they are in a breeding cabinet).
I don't think anything is bothering them at night.
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Post by Robyn on Sept 24, 2011 19:05:08 GMT 10
Laraine could be because they are inexperienced to.
Don't give up. They should get the hang of it.
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Post by avinet on Sept 24, 2011 21:24:05 GMT 10
My Plumheads when I had them didn't like nest inspections - I would only sneak a look when they were both out of the nest. Although as Robyn said, it could just be immaturity. They can breed at 2 but 3 or even 4 is more likely to be successful.
Can you be a bit more explicit about their housing, and also the size of the nest box? I am a little concerned about the breeding cabinet bit - that might be leading to insecurity problems.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by Laraine on Sept 25, 2011 19:05:10 GMT 10
Hi Mike
The breeding cabinet is a wooden one suitable for small birds (budgies etc.) with the box in one corner. I thought it would be ok as they aren't very big birds.
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Post by avinet on Sept 25, 2011 21:20:18 GMT 10
I'm surprised they ar ebreeding at all - they must be keen. I would consider that to be totally unsuitable I'm afraid. They might be smallish birds but they are very strong flyers, especially compared to budgies, and need adequate flying space. Nest box should be standard cockatiel size.
I would very strongly suspect the egg breaking is due to stress. If you can get them into a decent flight - 1.5 metres would be my absolute minimum then they may still provide you with babies this season, although I suspect next year will be jackpot time.
My pairs that bred well were in 3.6 x 0.9 metre flights. They were good parents up to about 3 weeks then would stop feeding - a quite common problem with Plumheads - so I always had to hand rear from 3 week to ensure success.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by Laraine on Oct 2, 2011 7:31:34 GMT 10
Thanks Mike, I do have a larger flight but the Cinnamon GCC are in it this year. Will GCC 's breed in a smaller box?
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Post by Robyn on Oct 2, 2011 9:37:02 GMT 10
Laraine sorry but i have to also agree with Mike.
Same goes for the green cheeks, they also need space. Laraine my GCC are in a 2.5L X 900W X 1.2H suspended aviary & she is sitting on her 3 rd clutch for this season.
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Post by Laraine on Oct 3, 2011 10:17:39 GMT 10
Thanks Mike and Robyn, I'll have to rethink the accommodations for next season.
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