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Bengalese will as mentioned before attempt to breed under most circumstances, lack of
condition can contribute to the failure to produce fertile eggs, ensure tiptop breeding condition before pairing.
A recent problem is with large Buff Feathered exhibition birds, were excessive feathering around the vents of the birds prevents correct contact in mating. The answer seems to be to reduce by plucking the amount of vent feathering, taking care to leave intact the guide feathers that are used in mating.
Of course my old maxim applies. The main reasons beginners fail to breed with their birds are, two Cocks, two Hens or too Young.
Fertile eggs that fail to hatch: the obvious reason here is inconsistent incubation, this again is found in young immature birds, birds leaving the nest due to disturbance, and possibly mites.
Make sure that night time disturbance is avoided, car headlights flashing into the bird room,
rodents gaining access and loud noises can all contribute to birds leaving the nest at night, I have a small night light on at all times, this enables birds disturbed to return to the nest.
Make your birds housing rodent free, they are not looking in the main to make a meal of your birds but are attracted to the seed, their urine and droppings spell disaster for your birds if left unchecked.
There are several commercially available anti mite powders/sprays use one on a regular basis.
Birds can carry with no ill effects to the adults, bacterial infections that are passed directly to the egg whilst in development, these bacteria build up in the egg finally destroying the
developing chick inside.
Treat your birds with one of the treatments available, as recommended by the makers before you commence breeding, this problem being easily avoided.
Sometimes you may find birds that are reluctant to feed the chicks, this in my experience is nearly always due to immature and inexperienced birds, breeding for the first time. Where
possible I try to place a 3-4 day old chick from another pair in these nest, the calls of this larger and stronger chick usually stimulate the birds to commence feeding. I always provide a bundle of fresh Chickweed to these pairs for some reason this seems to encourage feeding, in
reluctant pairs.
You would be unfortunate indeed to encounter all these problems, but if you breed from your stock they can usually be relied on to appear from time to time. Usually given correct
preparation of your birds and their housing for the task ahead you will say,
" breeding Bengalese, no problem".
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