Help - Dead ASY Male in Cavity - Move babies?

Shros · Sun Jul 09, 2017 5:31 am

I have a Lonestar Alamo. All cavities are filled with nesting pairs and babies. In last night's nest check I found a dead ASY male in one of the cavities. There was no indication of violence and really no indication of cause of death There are 5 chicks in the nest that are 18 days old. I saw the ASY female returning to the nest several times last night (although not yet this AM). The chicks do not have wrinkly bellies so appear to be relatively healthy. I have one nest with 3 babies that also has 18 day old chicks. Should I move one or two of the babies to that nest or just let nature take its course given that I probably have 7-10 days for these babies to fledge?

ToyinPA · Sun Jul 09, 2017 9:16 am

Shros wrote:I have a Lonestar Alamo. All cavities are filled with nesting pairs and babies. In last night's nest check I found a dead ASY male in one of the cavities. There was no indication of violence and really no indication of cause of death There are 5 chicks in the nest that are 18 days old. I saw the ASY female returning to the nest several times last night (although not yet this AM). The chicks do not have wrinkly bellies so appear to be relatively healthy. I have one nest with 3 babies that also has 18 day old chicks. Should I move one or two of the babies to that nest or just let nature take its course given that I probably have 7-10 days for these babies to fledge?

I would guess he died from natural causes. The female should be able to take care of them, but it will be taxing on her with no mate to help. You could move one or two chicks to the other nest. That would give the female a little break. If you do move any I would try to pick the largest of the clutch, as they will be strong enough to grab food when it arrives. Moving a smaller chick, they often get shoved to the back.

Toy in PA

Shros · Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:59 pm

Thanks Toy. I was thinking that would be my approach. However, I have been watching the female for the last half an hour and she is a feeding machine. She never stops for a second. I think I'm going to give her a few days and see how things progress.

cnevett27 · Sun Jul 09, 2017 1:39 pm

I had this same problem 2 weeks ago, found the male dead with 3 babies. I called Tara with the PMS and she was great to talk to. She suggested providing dried mealy worms soaked with a little water and place it in a shallow dish that you can put in the nest box. She thought the mom could do fine with 3 babies. If you move 2 you should monitor those you moved for a while to make sure they are still gaining weight. We had a happy ending over here with the 3 babies fledging 2 days ago. Someone was eating those mealy worms by day 3. After day 5, the babies looked so good I just quit the supplemental feeding. Good luck with yours. Keep us posted on the outcome so we can benefit from your experience. Cindy

Shros · Sun Jul 09, 2017 2:34 pm

Thanks Cindy. I have some crickets in the freezer that I can thaw and put in the nest box. I'll hold off on moving a chick or two for a few days and see how it goes. Bob.

Shros · Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:49 am

Cindy, I put about 50 thawed crickets in a shallow dish in the nest cavity on Sunday night. I did a nest check last night (Wednesday) and all of the crickets were gone and all 5 babies looked fat and happy. The mother was coming and going feeding the babies so I don't plan on moving them or providing additional crickets as they only have 7-10 days left before fledging. Thanks for the concern and support. Bob.