Hello Again!!!
I've been wondering on this very important subject!!! I done this up north my last 2 years out of the four when I had a large colony of 62 pairs! When I do nest checks, I check every three to four days to make sure of not only mite problems or any other problems, but to make sure the babies are getting enough to eat from their parents! Let me make this alittle clear, I notice here at my colony this year, there were 1-2 babies that were smaller than the others! So what I do is move the smaller babies up front and put the bigger babies to the back!!! Now when I do this and check the next day or two they are back being the same size of the others! Now what I'm gathering here is the parents are coming in and the bigger babies are getting more than the one's behind them because out of the normal feeding by the parents, they just feed the babies who want them more or get to the parents more than the smaller babies!! I caught this last year and saved probably 2-4 babies that were left behind in growth!!! That is out of the 3 pairs I only had last year!!! So if you do the math, that is alot of babies saved!!! Now I know there will be some babies that get a disease or some other abnormal problem that will die!! But you can pick them out or they are probably dead already!!! Now I had a ASY pair that had 6 babies and found out one of the babies was squished to death by the other babies and could of saved that one but didn't get to in time!!! That is why I'm doing the nest checks every 3-4 days!! Hopefully to catch these problems!!
How many of you out there do this or maybe now will do this????? We can save alot of babies if we all did this!!! I hope I helped someone here!!! Thanks and good luck doing this!!!! John!
Want To Do A Poll On Babies This year!!! On Helping Parents!
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Donna - TX
- Posts: 889
- Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 6:44 pm
- Location: Texas/Pearland
Hi John,
I already do this. I always make sure the runt is in the front of the pack and I haven't lost a runt yet. If there is a runt in the pack I check each day until he catches up with the rest, this only takes about 1 to 2 days, they grow incredibly fast when they can get the food. I'm glad somebody else does this I thought I was just over protective sometimes but I'm one of those who can't stand by when I can do something.
Never thought of the baby at the bottom getting smothered, I haven't had any babies running into this problem but I will keep an eye out.
(Just think, the more we fledge this year helps the people who have been waiting so long to see these magnificent birds get a better chance next year)
One more thing, this is easy to do with the gourds but it is difficult with the nature house because they build it up so high, but I still try.
I already do this. I always make sure the runt is in the front of the pack and I haven't lost a runt yet. If there is a runt in the pack I check each day until he catches up with the rest, this only takes about 1 to 2 days, they grow incredibly fast when they can get the food. I'm glad somebody else does this I thought I was just over protective sometimes but I'm one of those who can't stand by when I can do something.
Never thought of the baby at the bottom getting smothered, I haven't had any babies running into this problem but I will keep an eye out.
(Just think, the more we fledge this year helps the people who have been waiting so long to see these magnificent birds get a better chance next year)
One more thing, this is easy to do with the gourds but it is difficult with the nature house because they build it up so high, but I still try.
Donna Gillbee
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Peggy Riley
- Posts: 885
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:21 pm
- Location: TX/Tolar
I have done the same and I think it is a good idea. Peggy
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floridasunshinegoddess
John, I think that's a great idea!
I have often thought about it but thought the more aggressive chicks would probably overpower the "runt" anyway. Now I'm thinking differently. Why not give the little guy a fighting chance? As a matter of fact, if you have a chick like this, why not check on him daily in case he's been pushed back or trampled on! They grow so quickly..... It may only be an extra day or two and he'll have caught up with the others!
I'm glad you took the time to post this. If it helps save even one.... Was worth your time!
I have often thought about it but thought the more aggressive chicks would probably overpower the "runt" anyway. Now I'm thinking differently. Why not give the little guy a fighting chance? As a matter of fact, if you have a chick like this, why not check on him daily in case he's been pushed back or trampled on! They grow so quickly..... It may only be an extra day or two and he'll have caught up with the others!
I'm glad you took the time to post this. If it helps save even one.... Was worth your time!
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John Atteberry
Hello you lovely ladies,
I'm glad you all are doing this too! It is wonderful, isn't it? I did a nest check today because as of late today I saw 2 SY new males that came in and it caused some havoc on one of my ASY pair in a gourd! Glad I did because one of the three day old babies was near the hole! And found out one is missing! I found it in another nest with bigger babies all by itself! It was in a Trio compartment too! On the other side of house! Go firgure! I put both back in the nest and put the two near the front to get fed right away! They were a little cold to the touch too! I saw the pair was excited too! Then later on I wanted to check again to see if any changes happened! Then the ASY female was in there sitting on them!!! I just patted her head and put the rack back up!!! HA! The martins are getting tamed around me!!!! Thanks John!
I'm glad you all are doing this too! It is wonderful, isn't it? I did a nest check today because as of late today I saw 2 SY new males that came in and it caused some havoc on one of my ASY pair in a gourd! Glad I did because one of the three day old babies was near the hole! And found out one is missing! I found it in another nest with bigger babies all by itself! It was in a Trio compartment too! On the other side of house! Go firgure! I put both back in the nest and put the two near the front to get fed right away! They were a little cold to the touch too! I saw the pair was excited too! Then later on I wanted to check again to see if any changes happened! Then the ASY female was in there sitting on them!!! I just patted her head and put the rack back up!!! HA! The martins are getting tamed around me!!!! Thanks John!
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Guest
OK...humor me here....do you place a cricket in tweezers or some other tool or are you successful with feeding the baby the cricket with your fingers? I've never done this before but it certainly sounds like a good idea.
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
Sue
City by the Sea, TX
Sue,
I've only done it with the fairly small ones that will open their mouths for you and yes, I use tweezers. You need to get the cricket fairly far into the throat so the swallowing reflex takes over. It's not hard once you try it a time or two. I've actually done it as often as twice in one day when I had a little one I was a little worried about. Usually by the time babies are in the nest, the parents are bothered as much by the lowering of the house.
Hope this helps should you need to try it.
Patrick
I've only done it with the fairly small ones that will open their mouths for you and yes, I use tweezers. You need to get the cricket fairly far into the throat so the swallowing reflex takes over. It's not hard once you try it a time or two. I've actually done it as often as twice in one day when I had a little one I was a little worried about. Usually by the time babies are in the nest, the parents are bothered as much by the lowering of the house.
Hope this helps should you need to try it.
Patrick