Hand rearing

[birde]

Hi everyone, I was just wondering:

How do you take your chicks from your hens/cocks at the 2-3 week mark to hand rear them? Don't your hens/cocks react badly? How do you go about doing it?

Thanks.

[Lori~D]

My Chicks were always born so far apart I never took them all at once. Two at a time. I would wait until the parents were out of the box feeding or some birds would leave if I opened the box or added a treat. Then I had a cardboard block I slipped in front of the hole. Take the chicks I want and simply walk away. The last chicks to leave would create a bit of a ruckus when the parents went back but it only lasted a minute or two. They didnt seem to really much care ( I know its not true) but It really was the norm for all of us

[xafsmom]

Some of my hens fuss a bit, but I drop treats into their feeders when I pull. They go "Oh no the babies....wait, is that popcorn?! WOO!"

But this made me think of one hen that does something hilarious...

When I pull her babies, she not only gets excited, but shoves them at me. When I don't take them all at once, she'll start hauling them over to the door and lining them up. Then she stands behind them, purrs at me, and bonks each one in the head with her beak in order.. until I take them.

Afterwards, she'll sing and trill and fly around her flight like "Ahh freeeee!"

She always looks very upset when I leave them in longer.

[Emmilyy]

Originally Posted by xafsmom

Some of my hens fuss a bit, but I drop treats into their feeders when I pull. They go "Oh no the babies....wait, is that popcorn?! WOO!"

But this made me think of one hen that does something hilarious...

When I pull her babies, she not only gets excited, but shoves them at me. When I don't take them all at once, she'll start hauling them over to the door and lining them up. Then she stands behind them, purrs at me, and bonks each one in the head with her beak in order.. until I take them.

Afterwards, she'll sing and trill and fly around her flight like "Ahh freeeee!"

She always looks very upset when I leave them in longer.

haha thats hilarious!

[debbielabella]

Originally Posted by xafsmom

When I pull her babies, she not only gets excited, but shoves them at me. When I don't take them all at once, she'll start hauling them over to the door and lining them up. Then she stands behind them, purrs at me, and bonks each one in the head with her beak in order.. until I take them.

Afterwards, she'll sing and trill and fly around her flight like "Ahh freeeee!"

that's the funniest thing !! what kind of bird is she?! She must really trust you!

[NotEnoughTime]

Originally Posted by xafsmom

When I pull her babies, she not only gets excited, but shoves them at me. When I don't take them all at once, she'll start hauling them over to the door and lining them up. Then she stands behind them, purrs at me, and bonks each one in the head with her beak in order.. until I take them.

Afterwards, she'll sing and trill and fly around her flight like "Ahh freeeee!"

She always looks very upset when I leave them in longer.

Kind of flys in the face of some of the Tweti quotes...

[Lori~D]

LMAO!!! thats too funny

[xafsmom]

She's a Sun Conure, actually. She is unique. Or brain damaged...

She'll raise any baby day 1 until they're about 3 weeks old, regardless of whether or not she currently has babies or eggs. She's just the most maternal thing I've ever seen.

She has single-handedly raised Congos for the first week for me. She's a silly girl. As for trusting? Not so much. She's parent raised and would rather I remain out of her face ...unless she's trying to pawn off the 3 week olds! LOL

[Emmilyy]

Originally Posted by xafsmom

She's a Sun Conure, actually. She is unique. Or brain damaged...

She'll raise any baby day 1 until they're about 3 weeks old, regardless of whether or not she currently has babies or eggs. She's just the most maternal thing I've ever seen.

She has single-handedly raised Congos for the first week for me. She's a silly girl. As for trusting? Not so much. She's parent raised and would rather I remain out of her face ...unless she's trying to pawn off the 3 week olds! LOL

Thats cute!

[debbielabella]

wow she's raised congo's? I feel like i can identify.. now my kids are teens and I wish someone would finish the feeding (sorry gnome)
what a character!