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Birds--General/Young ones killed
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Question
My friend has close to 300 pairs of different love birds. from past few days the young chicks which are 20 to 25 days old are being killed in the nest box. all the breeding pairs are in individual cages. he has lost close to 70 young chicks. what could be the reason?
Hi, Sulaiman,
If all the breeding pairs are in individual cages, it must be the parents/a parent that is killing them, unless the chicks are sickly. There could be any number of reasons for this.....overbreeding can result in this problem, the parents being too young, the parents and/or chicks could be ill, parents not able to feed all offspring sufficiently, parents/nest being disturbed (some parent birds will kill offspring if they think they are in danger). You'll need to observe your pairs closely until you can figure out what is going on. Perhaps use a video camera to record so you can determine what might be going on. You may want to take some of the birds to a certified avian veterinarian for examination to see if any are ill. It's a process of elimination at this point until you can determine what is happening with these birds.
Chrys
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Answers by Expert:
Chrys Meatyard
Expertise
I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience
Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.
Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.
Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
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