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Post by anzac on Oct 4, 2011 15:38:36 GMT 10
So we FINALLY get around to getting Tilly and Billy (my turks) a nesting box and putting it the cage. It's not as high as I would like it but after a few nervous forays, Tilly (my girl) finally went in there. I have already put the wood shavings in there for her. So how often do you go and inspect the nest box? Is it different for each species? I might have even missed the boat for this year's breeding season (I'm in WA) but since they have probably hit one year, they might be a bit too young anyway? I think Mike and Greg are the only turk breeders on this forum but am assuming most of the small parrots behavior is the same. It's so long since I bred Bourke's I have forgotten but they bred very easily.
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Post by avinet on Oct 4, 2011 19:57:45 GMT 10
Nest inspections are different for each species, and different often within a species. My philosophy has always been that I will look whether they like it or not, and I do it regularly from when they first enter a nest box. That way it is just part of the routine and they are used to it and it doesn't worry them. Problems arise if you never look in a nest box until 2 weeks into incubation and suddenly take the top off for a look - hen panics, eggs scatter like billiard balls, and damage might happen, even if the hen returns to the nest.
Having said that I have found the Turks to be just about the most accepting of all species - I have sometimes just picked up a hen, had a look, and then placed her back on the eggs without a sound or any struggle from her.
Although a year old is a bit young, it is still possible for them to breed at that age - but often they may try but be unsuccessful. Again, my philosophy was to let them go ahead, even if it doesn't work out it is a good learning experience, and they will be better next time. And I don't worry about being too young to breed - nobody tells them in the wild they are too young!
Turks will breed here in Queensland into the New Year, as late as February. In fact they can breed just about any time, although spring and summer are definitely the main season. WA will be similar I would think.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by anzac on Oct 5, 2011 10:21:52 GMT 10
Thanks Mike, as always. I noticed Tilly was in the box this morning, probably cos it was just a bit cold and it might be a toasty warm in there with the wood shavings. Luckily Tilly is a calm turk, Billy (my male ) is a bit of nut. I noticed that Tilly is actually feeding Billy, shouldn't it be the other way around as in males feeding the females? As you said Mike, I'll just let them be and see what happens but thanks for the advice, I'll go check on what she's up to.
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Post by avinet on Oct 6, 2011 10:46:10 GMT 10
Thanks Mike, as always. I noticed Tilly was in the box this morning, probably cos it was just a bit cold and it might be a toasty warm in there with the wood shavings. Luckily Tilly is a calm turk, Billy (my male ) is a bit of nut. I noticed that Tilly is actually feeding Billy, shouldn't it be the other way around as in males feeding the females? As you said Mike, I'll just let them be and see what happens but thanks for the advice, I'll go check on what she's up to. Turks don't go into a box to roost at night, they use a box to nest in! So it looks like she is getting serious about breeding. And don't worry about the feeding being the wrong way round - they are young and eventually will sort out who is supposed to do what to each other. As I said, first time when they are young is always a bit hit or miss, but the practice can help for next time. cheers, Mike |
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Post by anzac on Oct 6, 2011 14:14:18 GMT 10
As long as Billy works out which bit is supposed to go where Mike ;D
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Post by jusdeb on Oct 8, 2011 18:49:31 GMT 10
I do nest inspections different for each bird . Some more than others if I think there may be a problem .
Best way I find is a small mirror for a quick head count and then if I have to I can pull the box down and have a closer look .
Watch them closely and make mental notes of different behaviour and after a few clutches you will know by the way they act what they are up to .
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Post by Laraine on Oct 9, 2011 12:42:56 GMT 10
I like to check the nests daily, most of my birds don't seem to mind. I try not to disturb them too much by just opening a little but and I don't disturb the hen if she is sitting tight.
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Post by anzac on Oct 10, 2011 11:10:48 GMT 10
Well checked the nest and no eggs for Tilly, I suspect Billy is a bit green at this stage being so young. No probs, she likes being in there so obviously she's broody but Billy just has to get his act together. I'm sure his hormones will kick in one day.
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Post by anzac on Oct 13, 2011 12:33:49 GMT 10
No eggs for Tilly again but she spends most of her time in there. I feel sorry for Billy, he just hangs around the nest box hoping she'll come out. Do the males ever venture into the box? Billy is a nervous bird (turk) at the best of times.
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Post by avinet on Oct 13, 2011 22:21:59 GMT 10
That's the role of the males - guard the nest while the female makes it comfy.
Sometimes the male Neophemas can go into the nest but with mine over the years they generally stay on the outer. Even when the babies hatch for the first few days it seems that the female does all the feeding and the male feeds his mate. Once the babies have reached eyes open age the male starts to feed the babies directly.
From what you are saying I wouldn't be surprised if you have eggs in the next week or two.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by meandem on Oct 14, 2011 7:38:00 GMT 10
That's the role of the males - guard the nest while the female makes it comfy. That is exactly what I keep telling my husband!  ;D  |
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Post by Laraine on Oct 15, 2011 12:29:52 GMT 10
I have supposedly a "breeding pair" of turks and they both spend a lot of time in the breeding box. Two summers have just about passed but no eggs.
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Post by avinet on Oct 15, 2011 15:20:27 GMT 10
I have supposedly a "breeding pair" of turks and they both spend a lot of time in the breeding box. Two summers have just about passed but no eggs. Any photo of the pair and are they housed in their own flight? If they are a pair and not laid then most likely they are not relaxed about the way they are being kept, a bit stressed - enough to discourage breeding. Photo of their aviary? cheers, Mike |
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Post by anzac on Oct 17, 2011 10:16:57 GMT 10
I have supposedly a "breeding pair" of turks and they both spend a lot of time in the breeding box. Two summers have just about passed but no eggs. Looks like I have a pair of them too Checked again and no eggs but Tilly loves spending all her time in there. At least I didn't buy them as a breeding pair and they came from different breeders. They are just a year old themselves so I'm guessing mine may be just inexperienced. Not that fussed whether they breed or not myself as Mike advised I'd just put the box in and see how they go. I know with some of my canaries, they are just not to good at the whole breeding process. |
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Post by anzac on Oct 24, 2011 11:03:57 GMT 10
Checked the nest box again and I think Tilly may have some eggs. She didn't even budge when I lifted the lid and before she has flown off when she had no eggs and I thought I saw an egg poking out from beneath her. Do I gently lift her or just let her be do you think? She didn't seem too perturbed at all that I was checking on her at least.
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Post by avinet on Oct 24, 2011 14:37:14 GMT 10
Checked the nest box again and I think Tilly may have some eggs. She didn't even budge when I lifted the lid and before she has flown off when she had no eggs and I thought I saw an egg poking out from beneath her. Do I gently lift her or just let her be do you think? She didn't seem too perturbed at all that I was checking on her at least. That great and would be more or less right on cue - back on the 13th I said I expected an egg in 1 to 2 weeks  When I had Turks I could reach in and lift the hen off the eggs to have a look and then put her back down as if nothing had happened. It would depend on the hen though and how trusting she was. You can try it but if she objects then you know not to try it again. The easier way is perhaps to put your hand by her side and gently push her to one side a bit. cheers, Mike |
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Post by anzac on Oct 24, 2011 15:00:58 GMT 10
Thanks, as always, Mike for the reply Problem is turks bite or mine do, well Tilly does but I'll give it a go, she is the more trusting of the pair. I also worry what to feed her if and when the eggs hatch. Both Billy and Tilly point blank refuse to eat any fruit or veg, unlike my canaries who happily gobble up the egg biscuit mix and greens plus grass seeds I know the babies are getting some good rearing food. |
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Post by anzac on Oct 25, 2011 14:57:06 GMT 10
Well Tilly finally came out of the box so in I rushed and she has 4 eggs, not guessing they are fertile so we'll have to wait and see |
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Post by avinet on Oct 25, 2011 20:04:46 GMT 10
Well Tilly finally came out of the box so in I rushed and she has 4 eggs, not guessing they are fertile so we'll have to wait and see Well congratulations to you and to Tilly - here's hoping they are fertile. cheers, Mike |
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;D 
