Unexpected egg hatch

[dawnmt70]

Mid-winter in sub-zero weather and we now have a young'n. Egg hatched a day or two before Christmas so the little fella isn't so little anymore. Almost the size of the parents. Another cold front is coming but so far they have done a great job of getting through. Love the heated dog dish! Been feeding a huge mix of feed not knowing what is best to combat the twenty below temps. Any advice on things to watch for with a squeaker in the deep freeze?

 

[sourland]

Be careful that the parents don't start preparing for a second round of eggs before the squab is fully feathered.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Mid-winter in sub-zero weather and we now have a young'n. Egg hatched a day or two before Christmas . Any advice on things to watch for with a squeaker in the deep freeze?

I have had this happen with my homing pigeons when the late clutches of squabs reach full maturity during the winter months. When the squabs became too big for the parents to incubate to prevent hypothermia I housed them in a Styrofoam cooler by moving nest bowl and all.
You take a chance doing so as they may abandon the squabs but it worked for me thankfully.


Th

 

[loftkeeper]

when they get to big for parents to cover and not fully feathered is the time to watch closely if I think parent not going to cover them I bring to house for the night

 

[laughingdog]

I don't bring in in frigid nights/weather anymore as seems to do more harm than good, I just get small dog treat etc boxes just large enough for one or two dog bowls around and twice as tall, top n one side flap together so keeps heat enough. Pine needles or shavings fourth to half filling dog bowls creating great bug free insulation. Layer and scratch great winter/breeding feed.. messy though, lot of protien n fat extra than need generally.

 

[dawnmt70]

Little bugger did great. Busy flying with Auntie-mama & Uncle-daddy now.

In all seriousness, it makes me feel good to know my birds remained happy and healthy enough to reproduce in one nasty winter. Think I'm going to expand to raising quail!

 

[laughingdog]

I bought pair of now overly friendly Quail yesterday, and gonna try raising more, maybe even in aviarys with pigeons if works out.

 

[dawnmt70]

I've got an incubator on the way. I can't wait for spring!!!! Sadly we got 2 inches of snow last night and are looking for another 3 tonight. Will spring EVER come???

 

[GoldenFlight]

I've got an incubator on the way. I can't wait for spring!!!! Sadly we got 2 inches of snow last night and are looking for another 3 tonight. Will spring EVER come???

Glad to hear your baby did so well!!

I've been asking myself the very same question...

 

[laughingdog]

Where about are you two that more impatient for spring than me even?