Please help! Not sure if these squabs can stay warm!

[biophiliac]

In order to ensure the parents stay on the squabs, and the keep the loft warmer in general, I decided to temporarily close off the aviary. We'll have single digit temps for at least another week, so I may have to keep the aviary closed off for that long. I plan on opening it for an hour or so every few days during peak daylight/high temps, so they can get some sun. What do you guys think?

I'm curious if your loft is dark with the aviary door closed. Do they need a light period every day?

 

[LamarshFish]

I'm curious if your loft is dark with the aviary door closed. Do they need a light period every day?

It's darker, but not totally dark. The bob door lets in a decent amount of light. They do need light, but I think locking them in like this for 3-6 days probably isn't a big deal, especially with letting them use the aviary supervised for an hour or so every other day. What do you think?

 

[biophiliac]

It's darker, but not totally dark. The bob door lets in a decent amount of light. They do need light, but I think locking them in like this for 3-6 days probably isn't a big deal, especially with letting them use the aviary supervised for an hour or so every other day. What do you think?

I think that's right, as long as they have a dark and lighter cycle daily. This weather is serious, our forecast lows are -6 -6 -11 and -9 F over the next 4 nights. I'm considering some clear plastic over much of the aviary to promote a greenhouse effect, although the site itself is sheltered from the worst wind.

My birds are supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning! Could I have picked a worse time? LOL

I take it the littles are still thriving?

 

[biophiliac]

I'm trying to recall the details I have read about loft 'darkening' to force a moult. Obviously not wanted now. I think they make it very dark. I doubt you are risking that with the situation you have.

 

[taprock]

The parents do spend some time off nest. For mine I observed up to an hour. I kept checking the squab every ten minutes to be sure they stayed warm. It happened numerous times.

If you do move them be prepared first that you may have to hand feed. Then do it in the dark. I had a dog crate all ready with perches, food, water, bedding. Then in the dark I put the parents in a carrier, moved the nest to the crate and put the parents as they were, one on nest, one on perch and then left them.

 

[LamarshFish]

The parents do spend some time off nest. For mine I observed up to an hour. I kept checking the squab every ten minutes to be sure they stayed warm. It happened numerous times.

If you do move them be prepared first that you may have to hand feed. Then do it in the dark. I had a dog crate all ready with perches, food, water, bedding. Then in the dark I put the parents in a carrier, moved the nest to the crate and put the parents as they were, one on nest, one on perch and then left them.

You moved the parents at the squabs? I might have to do that.

I think that's right, as long as they have a dark and lighter cycle daily. This weather is serious, our forecast lows are -6 -6 -11 and -9 F over the next 4 nights. I'm considering some clear plastic over much of the aviary to promote a greenhouse effect, although the site itself is sheltered from the worst wind.

My birds are supposed to be delivered tomorrow morning! Could I have picked a worse time? LOL

I take it the littles are still thriving?

I unfortunately found the smaller squab dead this morning. It was warm from the warming pad, so I think it was more likely due to being out competed for food, but who knows. I feel bad.

Did you get your birds yet?

 

[biophiliac]

You moved the parents at the squabs? I might have to do that.



I unfortunately found the smaller squab dead this morning. It was warm from the warming pad, so I think it was more likely due to being out competed for food, but who knows. I feel bad.

Did you get your birds yet?

Sorry you lost one, but it will be quite an accomplishment if those first time parents raise one and I think they will. I'm pulling for them.

Birds are due betw NOW! and noon. Can I announce their arrival here on your thread?

 

[Hokum Coco]

I unfortunately found the smaller squab dead this morning. I think it was due to being out competed for food, but who knows. I feel bad.

Not much one can say to brighten your day.

Do not to beat yourself up "Who knows what the cause was."

Try and handle your squabs daily some times a simple action as taking the large squab from the nest a few hours is all it takes for the squabs to become equal in size.

Your birds are first time parents failure is not uncommon.

Experienced pigeon pairs sometimes abandon a squab. They notice poor genetics or a birth defect. I have intervened in some case and hand fed the squab to adult hood. The bird some times never thrives and is an outcast by the flock at the bottom of the pecking order. Some fanciers only let a pair raise one squab.

Winter is no time to raise squabs

You gave the squabs a fighting chance with the heat pad or you may have lost both.

If it is any consolation the remaining squab should really thrive and make it.

 

[sourland]

"Winter is no time to raise squabs". That being said, I can understand the excitement of wanting to get started. I always separated cocks and hens in late August and reintroduced them on Feb. 14. I'm just an old romantic.

 

[Hokum Coco]

I always separated cocks and hens in late August and reintroduced them on Feb. 14.

That is a good policy I will adopt once I become a bit more organized.