Happy Pets

On the 18th or 19th day after the egg has been laid, a tiny hole appears in the side of the egg. At this time the chick can be heard chipping at the shell and making his very first “chirps.” Just a matter of hours later, the chick emerges from the shell. The parents clean the baby, for there is a kind of afterbirth encrusted on his body. Shortly thereafter they will feed the little one by regurgitating food into its mouth. It is best to leave the chicks with the parents for a few days. They do seem to get a better start by doing this. (more…)

The Nest Box

The nest box should be wooden and have a partition in the middle to keep the eggs from rolling too much. It should be large; this is stressed for two reasons :

1. Both birds incubate the eggs and spend hours together in the box. They need room to move freely and turn the eggs.
2. The nest box will act as “nursery” for the chicks until they are old enough to leave it.

The box should have a 32 inch hole in the center and a perch outside to make access easier. In fact, everything should be done to make the nest box convenient and easily accessible. The female is especially cautious at this time. (more…)

When the babies are first hatched, they are far from a beautiful sight, except perhaps to the owner who has waited long and patiently for their arrival. The head and neck are the largest part of their bodies, and their eyes, not open, almost cover each side of the head. The amount of feathers on the body varies. Some of them have a few straggly olive colored quills, while others are covered with a brilliant yellow down. They are very active and appear to be walking around on four legs, since they use their wings for support. They are born hungry and crying for food. (more…)

One would have to have a complete medical background to go into the history, nature and causes of all bird diseases. However, our purpose here is to advise you, the pet owner, of certain signs of illness and home remedies that may be used in their event.

Cleanliness is, of course, the prime requisite of a healthy bird. A good mite spray when needed, frequent baths and fresh, clean seed are of the utmost importance. (more…)

If successfully mated, the queen’s oestrus lasts for only another three or four days. Make sure she has no access to any other torn during this time or you may find to your dismay that she conceives his kittens as well as, or instead of, the ones you want. Unlike humans, cats ovulate only in response to mating (unlike dogs and humans, they do not menstruate), and fertilization does not actually take place until 24-36 hours after mating.

The first sign that she is pregnant is when the nipples become pink, erect and a little enlarged. This is more noticeable with a first pregnancy, and becomes apparent about sixteen days after mating. By about the end of the third week an experienced vet can confirm that she is carrying kittens, for he can locate the embryos as pea-sized lumps. Do not try to feel them yourself. It will be another two or even three weeks before the cat’s abdomen becomes noticeably distended. (more…)