CAGE BIRDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22616, 2 January 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

CAGE BIRDS

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS "Gwenda," Waiuku.—Budgerigar: Sorry, but you must take a chanco of the young budgerigar turning out a male. It is not possible to sox them accurately when they are so young, although the deeper the blue of tho cero (tho piece of skin above tho nostrils) tho moro certain is it that they are cocks. Do not forget, however, that some hens are exceedingly good talkers. "Bird Lover," Walton. —Canary: Sorry, but your unsuitable diet has been the cause of the death of tho young canaries. You must add a canary rearing food to a hard boiled egg, for, by itself, egg is too rich. Canary seed is not suitable for young birds. Rape, soaked for twenty-four hours and then partly dried with a cloth, is far more digestible. Give budgerigars any grass seed available. They will eat most and reject some. M.ti., Takapuna.—Budgerigar: Examine the claws and leg of the bird, and make sure that, at the ball of the foot, there is no swelling, caused possibly by splinters or rough pieces on the perches. Probably, you will find his feet normal, for the other movements you mention, stretching out his wings and legs, aro just body exercises to assist him in his growth, and aro just what a young growing bird shouid do. 8.G., Te Awamutu.—Canary: I will get a friend to send you detailed instructions on feeding them. Keep tho cock bird away from tho hen for a few days after tho young have hatched, then let him in to see his chicks for an hour at dusk. If ho assists in feeding tho youngsters, ho can stop in each night a little longer, but if ho refuses to feed them, take him awny. Try giving your budgerigars a coconut husk nest and also ample quantities of cocksfoot and rye grass, which aro now obtainable. Sco that they aro not disturbed. Although a littlo late, they may start nesting. A.8.F., Otahuhu. —Pheasant: There is no known cure for avian-tuberculosis. I think you would be well advised to wash your feed tray with boiling water. Scraping is hardly sufficient. 1 certainly think that tho number

Bv TAILFEATHERS

Letters requesting information regarding tho caro of cage birds will be answered in this column each week. Readers are invited to write to Tailfcathers, New Zealand Herald Office, Auckland.

of chicks you put with throe hens too many. In fact, I think this might be the primary cause of your trouble—lack of warmth. Ten chicks por hen is plenty. Roup would cause a watery crop in extreme cases. On the further evidence from the chick that has recently died, I am confirmed in iny previous opinion, and the number of birds to a fostermother is, in my opinion, tho real cause of the trouble. If I can look you up in the near future, I will do so, and, in tho meantime, 1 trust that the remedies that 1 asked should be sent to you, prove beneficial. J.L.K., Pukeroro.—Budgerigar: I! the hen has been hopping in and out of the nest box she will soon settle down. If she does not lay eggs in tho immediate future change the box for a husk. She may be wanting to give play to her instincts in biting away pieces of the husk to form a nice surface 011 which to lay her eggs. A good budgerigar mixture is composed of cleaned canary seed one part, several different millets, including Hungarian millet and good quality white millet two parts, good duality hulled oats one part. Tho oats should be decreased when tho young are all independent. Try feeding your lazy hen quantities of cocksfoot and rye grass, and he sure that she is not disturbed by passers by or by cats or dogs. M.J.C., Pukekohe.—Guinea fowl: These are reared more easily than are pheasant chicks, but must be given some protection from the dew and from the hot sun. If you must use a foster-mother, a hen turkey is preferable. Commence feeding young guinea fowls as you would pheasants, using an egg custard well baked and ample quantities of greens, very finely cut up. Tho nso of the leaves of the chicory plant is recommended by some breeders. Raw meat is not necessary for them, but minced, cooked liver should be one of the foods offered. Curdled milk can be given when they are a week or so old, but it cannot entirely take tho place of the minced liver. Minced rabbit can also be given, but better than anything clso is an opportunity to wander among tho grass and secure the tiny grasshoppers that are now putting in an appearance. Their general treatment is identical with that for rearing pheasants, an article 011 which appeared some weeks ago in this column. Would bo pleased to hear how you succeed with tho guinea fowl.