Keeping track of hatching conures

[Jolene7136]

Forgive any typos I am posting on a phone with clumsy fingers.

We are hearing peeps coming from our GCC nest box so figure if all goes well we will have our first baby in the next 24 Hours.

I have what may be an odd question but am wondering how people keep track of the new chicks as they hatch in order to record hatch dates?

It is my understanding that you don’t want to band them until they are a bit older so what are other ways people are using to keep track over the first few days of which chick hatched when?

Thanks in advance for any advice and wisdom.

 

[itzjbean]

I have heard of people using colored permanent marker to make a dot on the top of the head or a line along the back. You'll want to weigh them daily with a gram scale to also track their progress to make sure they are growing as they should. Bands are then placed on babies around 10 days-14 days old.

 

[clark_conure]

clark was marked by me by him cuddling up to me after I cut myself shaving. a sharpee sounds like a good idea, the feathers will molt out.

 

[Jolene7136]

That is a great idea thank you.

 

[SilverSage]

Yep, sharpie on the top of the head then once you band them the feathers will grow in and the mark will disappear.


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[MonicaMc]

Since chicks usually don't hatch on the same days, you'll know the older chicks from the younger ones simply by their size.

Once they feather out, you'll hopefully know the difference between them due to personalities. If you have leg bands, that'll definitely help.

 

[SilverSage]

Since chicks usually don't hatch on the same days, you'll know the older chicks from the younger ones simply by their size.

Once they feather out, you'll hopefully know the difference between them due to personalities. If you have leg bands, that'll definitely help.

I’ve had chicks hatch the same day many times. This happens when the hen delays the beginning of incubation until several eggs have been laid and is fairly common. Also if one chick is failing to grow, it can confuse hatch order during the first week or so.


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[MonicaMc]

Good point! I'm just thinking of something other than using a sharpie. Kind of iffy using that on birds myself, at least on their skin, but that could just be me!

 

[SilverSage]

Some people use natural dyes, though I’ve found those to be much more messy. I like that the sharpies don’t seem to cause any sort of skin irritation and once the feathers are in the mark doesn’t show. In clutches where the babies have identifying marks such as different colored eyes, nails or skin, it isn’t necessary of course.

With my more reliable parents it isn’t always necessary to mark them even if they hatch the same day, but with new pairs I always want to be sure I can track each bird exactly. Usually I more or less just track the clutch.


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