I learned two valuable lessons, and they will make me a better breeder, so I am sharing them with you.
Lesson # ONE:
Every
year has different and various 'out side' factors, besides the breeder's
work, that influence the final outcome of a breeding season!
Some of these influences are easy to see, but others are vague and
uncertain. USUALLY, other breeders in your area, maybe even worldwide,
are having the same 'problems' in their bird rooms! So, remember not to
take bird room problems to heart!
An EXAMPLE from this season:
- Problem: Lack of Bonding Resulting in Infertile Eggs
This
year, I had an unusually high number of pairs fail to 'bond'. They
just didn't like each other. They did not fight, but they paid no
attention to each other, that I observed while I was in the room.
Normally, I would expect mating to happen when I was not watching. In
the past, I have seen pairs that did not bond at first, become faithful
and loyal partners as soon as the chicks hatched and needed feeding.
BUT, this year, they did not produce any fertile eggs.
Possible Cause:
In years past, I never
used split cages to slowly introduce the pairs. This year, I purchased
several sets of split breeding cages for most of my pairs!
I should have had more success, not less!
???
Other People:
Several
of my breeder-friends reported similar or identical problems, even with
experienced two-year old birds! Also, Red Factor Man uploaded a video in which he
stated that what started out as a good season has ended up being a poor
one for him. He then goes on to show several pairs who did not produce
fertile eggs, or did not feed!
He said he had seen videos posted by other breeders with similar problems.
My Solution:
I swapped mates, and with time and new partners, they began to hatch youngsters.
Another problem I had was the newly purchased birds not
producing, and actually dying!
I bought 12 new birds last fall, and 4
have died!
I have a total of 7 chicks from those 12 new birds!
The story how I got THOSE 7 is my second lesson-learned!
LESSON # TWO:
I decided taking a chance, trying unfamiliar things.... might be just what I needed to reach my goals! I decided to follow my instincts!
So, I interfered! I am a very vocal advocate for a 'hands off' approach to in the bird room during breeding season. But this spring, I meddled in the birds' lives!
And, WOW, am I glad I did! (continued-->)
