Redpolls Breeding Advise

[tenbob 17]

Looking for advise on breeding my redpolls I have lesser and normal redpolls .they have just recentlybuilt nests although the normal redpolls seem to have pulled it out the next day.also I have found eggs that look like they have been thrown out of nests.I'm guessing the cock birds are responsible for this ,any thoughts on this thanks.

Edited July 2, 2013 by tenbob

[KittleRox 2,147]

Could be a few different reasons for the birds not settling down to breed, if they're mixed there could be a rogue bird making a nuiscance or maybe too many birds to the size of flight or just stress from reasons unknown, incorrect feeding, cats etc etc etc ?? sometimes if birds are really well conditioned, overconditioned if you like they' ll continualy build lay, throw the eggs out and so on because they're that full of energy, when my pairs have laid there 3rd or 4th egg I stop feeding eggfood dandies etc and then resume again when the eggs are due to hatch, if you can try caging your pairs seperately and have a look at your feeding regime/ general management of the birds you may have more luck, hope you breed a few, atb

[fireman 10,917]

I'd just add are there enough nesting places and are they arguing over the same places?,it does sound like it could be the cocks being to eager on the hens but without catching them at it it's just a guessing game.I'd have them seperated anyway both being redpoll types as you might be finding the mealy cock ruling the hens of both types and it could be the lesser cock trying to ruin it for him?.Apart from that Kittle's covered just about it all there

[tenbob 17]

Thanks lads I should of mentioned the birds are in separate flights.what is your feeding routine lads?I have noticed a lot of jackdaws around lately also a rew magpies I'm wondering if this is the cause.maybe next time I will try and breed in cages.my mate also gas same problem with he,s redpolls bt other birds he has are laying fine including his bullfinch pair.

[fireman 10,917]

There's a old lady who feeds the rooks every morning out the back of my garden and the other day a family of crows turned up and were in a tree in my garden,all my nesting birds in my flights were going mad,(they ignore the rooks totaly) so the old pellet flinger came out and the ferrets enjoyed their snack .Same happens with magpies,squirrels and all vermin hassling my birds and it could be a reason for them to panic tenbob,but lots of folks are having a odd year with birds doing odd things and i myself have never had so many nests fail like they have and i can't put a single reason for it myself .

[KittleRox 2,147]

There's a old lady who feeds the rooks every morning out the back of my garden and the other day a family of crows turned up and were in a tree in my garden,all my nesting birds in my flights were going mad,(they ignore the rooks totaly) so the old pellet flinger came out and the ferrets enjoyed their snack .Same happens with magpies,squirrels and all vermin hassling my birds and it could be a reason for them to panic tenbob,but lots of folks are having a odd year with birds doing odd things and i myself have never had so many nests fail like they have and i can't put a single reason for it myself .

Lost 3 healthy youngsters myself fireman ( 2nd round ), well what I thought were healthy, seems the parents just stopped feeding them so must've been something amiss, checked for mite and none so a bit gutted

[fireman 10,917]

That is even more gutting when there getting on a bit then the parent just stop feeding them Kittle mate ,my main thing is half formed chicks dieing in the shell,most eggs have been full and i've been leaving them in situ rather than swapping for dummies and resetting them but twice now i've had one chick from nests of 5 and 6 eggs on the second round .Still 2 goldies about to fledge and a few chicks in other nests and the bully hen is till sitting tight so can't complain to much as some folks still haven't produced this year from proven stock and that would do my head in if that happened.

My feeding routine tenbob is i haven't got one my birds have food 24/7 i have large hanging feeders and big trays with the eggfood mix etc and the only time there's any routine to there feeding is there'll get their wildfood in the afternoons when i have finished work and that can be anytime really,i'll change there bird bath water etc at the same time and top up feeders if needed but no set time for anything mate .

[KittleRox 2,147]

That is even more gutting when there getting on a bit then the parent just stop feeding them Kittle mate ,my main thing is half formed chicks dieing in the shell,most eggs have been full and i've been leaving them in situ rather than swapping for dummies and resetting them but twice now i've had one chick from nests of 5 and 6 eggs on the second round .Still 2 goldies about to fledge and a few chicks in other nests and the bully hen is till sitting tight so can't complain to much as some folks still haven't produced this year from proven stock and that would do my head in if that happened.

My feeding routine tenbob is i haven't got one my birds have food 24/7 i have large hanging feeders and big trays with the eggfood mix etc and the only time there's any routine to there feeding is there'll get their wildfood in the afternoons when i have finished work and that can be anytime really,i'll change there bird bath water etc at the same time and top up feeders if needed but no set time for anything mate .

had some dead in shell as well mate, mines are in cages but I notice you provide a bath and they're out side so humidity shouldn't be a problem ??? I provide baths as well so I'm giving the birds a rest the now as I'm going on holiday and I don't want to miss ringing youngsters ( touch wood ) hopefully the wee rest will recharge there batteries, I'll pair them back up just before I go

 

fingers x'd for yours mate

[Millet 4,497]

I have not had much luck with my redpoll's either..the first clutch from 2 pair's where infertile..the second clutch produced one lot infertile and the other clutch early dead in shell..but the 3rd clutch hatched yesterday for one lot..and it's not just finches that are having a bad time a friend of mine is having a bad time trying to hatch chicken egg's..

My feed method is...good quality british finch mix/millet spray's/sweetcorn and petis pois peas with added sunflower heart's/hemp and salflower..the sweetcorn is changed 3 times aday along with the moist egg food..they also get a endless supply of chickweed and dandilion's when i can find them aswell as any other wild food i come across..a bath is alway's available and cleaned out twice per day..and after all that i leave well alone and never go in the aviary unless i am checking for hatching egg's or ringing..