Dead baby chicks

1253 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by tomahawk, Mar 22, 2009

tomahawk

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2009

I have had my eight rollers for four months. One hen either laid two eggs or two hens layed in the same nest. The two chicks hatched and about three weeks later when the hen was off the nest, I noticed that both chicks were still in the nest but one of the chick was dead. It was feathered out.
Today I found a chick from another hen, that hatched about five days ago, on the floor below the nest with four or five spots on it that were somewhat bloodied. The nesting box is about five feet off the floor and the coup is secure. I am wondering if anyone can give me any clues to what is happening. Thanks, Tom

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Skyeking

· #2 · Mar 17, 2009

Hello and Welcome to pigeon Talk,

I'm sorry to hear the youngster died.

If your loft is secure, then it sounds to me like you may have some male birds/intruders trying to take over the nest box.

How many couples and nest boxes do you have? Do you have any single male birds in with the breeders?

Be sure to keep this baby under observation and secure the nest box from any intruders.

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ThePigeonKid

· #3 · Mar 17, 2009

Hi Welcome to Pigeon Talk, I am so sorry to here about you're chicks. I hope you figure out what happened.

I just lost two squabs but I found a breach in my loft that I must secure.

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Charis

· #4 · Mar 17, 2009

ThePigeonKid said:
Hi Welcome to Pigeon Talk, I am so sorry to here about you're chicks. I hope you figure out what happened.

I just lost two squabs but I found a breach in my loft that I must secure.

Yes. Like secure right now...since you know about it!

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Charis

· #5 · Mar 17, 2009 (Edited)

tomahawk said:
I have had my eight rollers for four months. One hen either laid two eggs or two hens layed in the same nest. The two chicks hatched and about three weeks later when the hen was off the nest, I noticed that both chicks were still in the nest but one of the chick was dead. It was feathered out.
Today I found a chick from another hen, that hatched about five days ago, on the floor below the nest with four or five spots on it that were somewhat bloodied. The nesting box is about five feet off the floor and the coup is secure. I am wondering if anyone can give me any clues to what is happening. Thanks, Tom

Tom...you say your loft is secure but is it secure form rodents?
How many nest boxes do you have?
Pigeons lay 2 more eggs once their chicks are about 10-14 days old and so it could be that's why there were 4 eggs in the nest. Until you figure out the problem, don't let them hatch any more young. You can replace the eggs with wooden or plastic ones.
I just noticed that you live in my 'neck of the woods'.

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tomahawk

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 22, 2009

Thanks, Treesa and Charis for your input.
My coupe is secured with 1/2x1/2 inch galv. mesh and seems more that adequate.
I have twelve nesting boxes with three mated pairs. There are two pigeons that don't seem to be mated and i'm not sure what sex they are. The coupe is 8' x 8' and about 12' tall so they don't seem to be crowded at all. I'm not sure what I can do any different.
Thanks,
Tom

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