The Border Corner - Part 10 - Any Chicks Yet?

[@Dannysbirdshed]

Keep going Andy! All the best mate

[@bordercorner]

Thanks Danny👍👍

[@martingentles1291]

Keep plodding on Andy. My 1st round with my Glosters was crap as well, mostly empty eggs. Let's hope the second round is better.

[@bordercorner]

Hi Martin. Fingers crossed we both have a much better second round

[@davidramsey6616]

Andy, keep at it, I know there can be a lot of disappointments, but when the young come along its all worth it. Sometimes the guide feathers can be to long. I've heard back when there was a lot more border men, them saying "if they had a clear first round they would trim the guide feathers. It may help??

[@bordercorner]

Hi David. That’s interesting - I was told not to touch the guide feathers - I wonder whether they are too long?

[@snsbritishbirddiaries]

Graeat watch andy keep em coming pal all the best sammy

[@bordercorner]

Cheers Sammy

[@neilstorey5150]

Keep thinking positive you will get there I am having a bad season at the moment but there is plenty of time

[@bordercorner]

Thanks Neil - hope your season picks up a bit too

[@Victor_GouldianPro]

Cracking episode Andy. Borders are a tough canary type to get going. I believe its got a lot to do with us breeders mainly focusing on type and not spending enough time on their fecundity (parenting and breeding qualities). This is also genetic in nature. Keep going mate, you will get there.

[@bordercorner]

Hey Victor. Thanks for your comments. They definitely seem to be a tough Canary to breed - but I do really like them and can’t see myself changing. I think you might be right with regards to genetics

[@redcanaryman]

Nothing going right but still early in the season, hopefully things will start to improve soon, all the best going forward 😊

[@bordercorner]

Thanks Glynn - appreciate your feedback 👍

[@markdbowman2807]

Hi Andy, ups and downs with the birds, it's easy to get frustrated with the birds breeding, I had clear eggs in the first rounds also, the hens that tear up the paper, I place a folded nesting felt on the cage front with a clothes peg, it usually keeps the hen 'busy' she will pull it apart over a few days, distract her away from the paper and hopefully she will lay and be settled sitting on her eggs. All the best with the rest of the season mate. 👍🍻. Mark.

[@bordercorner]

Hi Mark. Thanks for your feedback - appreciate you taking the time. It seems as though there are quite a few Border men struggling this season - it would have to be a “problem year” my first proper year in wouldn’t it!!

[@markdbowman2807]

@@bordercorner typical mate, I suppose if it was easy everyone would be doing it, lol, that wee hen that was sitting and went soft, check for mite, in the nest bowls, I've had that before, it can drain the energy from the brooding hen, with clear eggs, I've had that happen/problem, sometimes night frights can spook the hens off the nests, especially mice, had that happen to, Im using a wee blue low, night light atda mo, past 2 years, it's a good job. Anyways, great content, and your passion/interest in the birds shows out in your videos. 🐦🐦👍🍻. Mark.

[@bordercorner]

Hi Mark. Many thanks - I’ll catch her up and give her a close inspection tomorrow to have a look just in case. I too have a night light and I have a couple of cameras in the shed. I’ve looked back over the footage from when she left the nest, and there was nothing obvious. She’d been sitting tight and left the nest about 5:30am for some food and just didn’t go back. Strange one. Thanks for what you said about my passion for my birds. I really am very fond of them all and immediately get a little worried if any of them appear off colour as I worry it’s something that I’ve done!! Thanks again

[@kierandowling4586]

I’m in the same boat pal I’ve fifes lots more clear an dead in shell than hatchlings pal but we keep going I’m not sure this is needed or will help you but just a thought, do you think the borders could help with a trimming like the way Keith ferry does on Matt elds show with the Norwich he keeps just a thought pal

[@bordercorner]

Hi Kieran. Oh bloody hell mate that’s no good! What a strange year we’re all having aren’t we? Yes, I trimmed the birds back in February - at the time I move them from the aviaries and flight cages into their breeding cages. Thanks for the idea though, much appreciated 👍👍

[@snsbritishbirddiaries]

Well dne andy great read cage aviary well done andy enough love Sammy

[@snsbritishbirddiaries]

Video coming mid week andy chicks chicks and ups and dwns this way ill shout u oyt buddy share the love bck andy enough love Sammy

[@bordercorner]

@@snsbritishbirddiaries Good man Sammy!!

[@snsbritishbirddiaries]

@@bordercorner not a problem andy vice versa it means a lot to here some one else shout u out hope your doing well and birds feeling a bit like start summer happy breeding season buddy enough love Sammy

[@snsbritishbirddiaries]

@@bordercorner no probs andy we will grow together its all about sharing our hobby thank you for the support and great feedback andy enough love Sammy

[@anthonyrussell1345]

I cut toilet paper into strips for those that rip the paper on the bottom of the cage floor

[@bordercorner]

Hi Anthony. Yes I’ve started doing this now too. I get those industrial size blue tissue rolls - if you know what I mean - and I’ve cut them into strips as you suggest. Some of the hens love it!!

[@1thewand]

Hi mate don’t get despondent I’m having a nightmare aswell , do you trim your birds vents ?

[@bordercorner]

Hi Ray. It’s slightly reassuring that I’m not the only one having a slow start. Yes, I do trim the vents - did it back in February

[@kevinandrews275]

Hi Andy keep going mate try moving on of the perches down to the bottom of the cage and put the cock with the hen one day before you put the pan in i breed Norwich and had no chick last year so i can appreciate your frustrations.

[@bordercorner]

Hi Kevin. It’s hard staying motivated isn’t it when you don’t get anything. Hope you have a bit more luck with your Norwich this year. I’ll have a look at your idea with dropping a perch to see if that changes things 👍👍

[@darryladams7759]

Andy u not on u own things are not going well for me at the moment had chicks in nest 3to4 days and let die but done well last year

[@bordercorner]

Hey Darryl. Thanks for commenting and I’m sorry to hear that you’re having problems too. Let’s hope things pick up for both of us 👍👍