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First baby of the year missing
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 10:18 pm
by Trev
As I've mentioned in other threads I am breeding a little earlier than I'd like this year due to having these stock birds that I want to break out. I had five youngsters from the first 8 eggs laid that are all weaned into my race loft, the eldest of these ventured out yesterday but didn't go far. Today they obviously got a little more adventurous and went off for a fly and sadly tonight I am one missing


the trouble is here because of the trouble I have with the Sparrow hawk hen is that I never know if they just get lost or if they ended up as hawk food

with any luck the missing bird will turn up tomorrow but I won't be holding my breath

Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 10:23 pm
by Andy
Hope it turns up Trev.
Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:22 am
by Murray
That's always disappointing, Trev.
I hate it, when the little ones go missing. They are all new and shiny and so full of promise......
Fingers crossed.
Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 6:18 am
by Buster121
Hope it returns safely Trev
Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:47 pm
by Trev
Murray wrote: ↑Mon Mar 06, 2023 3:22 am
That's always disappointing, Trev.
I hate it, when the little ones go missing. They are all new and shiny and so full of promise......
Fingers crossed.
I am a bit gutted mate, it was coming on nicely

unfortunately that is the problem I have here with early bred youngsters which is why I don't usually pair up until the end of February. I've no doubt I will lose a few more before the Sparrow hawk hen goes down on her eggs in April.
Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:48 pm
by Trev
Sadly no sign

I fear it's gone the way of the hawk


Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 9:00 pm
by Buster121
Trev wrote: ↑Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:48 pm
Sadly no sign

I fear it's gone the way of the hawk

Shame mate, but there is still some hope I usually give 3 days then will know if not coming back
Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 8:50 pm
by Trev
I fed the birds at the usual time this morning, at the moment due to bird flu restrictions they aren't going out much in the week. I did open one of the traps just incase the little one did turn up. I went back indoors to have a coffee before going to work and was looking at the snow and the wild birds on the feeders when I noticed my little black youngster sitting on the roof of my neighbours garage

He flew down towards the loft but was very cautious and went past the loft and over towards the fields, he didn't go far before he circled back so I decided to go and let a few birds out. I opened the traps and about 20 birds soon came out and had a flap around in the sleety snow, they didn't fly for long and when they came down the little one was with them

I shut the trap back up, left the birds bathing in the drizzle and went to work. When I got home this evening the youngster was safely in the loft


He is a little skinny and very hungry but other than that appears to be fine so I'm a happy chappy this evening

Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 9:03 pm
by Buster121
Trev wrote: ↑Tue Mar 07, 2023 8:50 pm
I fed the birds at the usual time this morning, at the moment due to bird flu restrictions they aren't going out much in the week. I did open one of the traps just incase the little one did turn up. I went back indoors to have a coffee before going to work and was looking at the snow and the wild birds on the feeders when I noticed my little black youngster sitting on the roof of my neighbours garage

He flew down towards the loft but was very cautious and went past the loft and over towards the fields, he didn't go far before he circled back so I decided to go and let a few birds out. I opened the traps and about 20 birds soon came out and had a flap around in the sleety snow, they didn't fly for long and when they came down the little one was with them

I shut the trap back up, left the birds bathing in the drizzle and went to work. When I got home this evening the youngster was safely in the loft


He is a little skinny and very hungry but other than that appears to be fine so I'm a happy chappy this evening
Great news mate hope it recovers and settles back in
Re: First baby of the year missing
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2023 10:03 pm
by Murray
Yay!
Always good to hear that things worked out.
A couple of days and a good feed and it will be good as new.
