Newborn Foal Care

newborn foal care

Avian Family Avian Blood Types Breeding and Protecting the Young

The feline and canine families have been well researched in terms of blood group systems. However, the avian family has still been on the interest of many researchers although a study revealed at least nine avian blood group systems following specifically the analysis of doves.

Unlike cats and horses, only a few species of birds can be crossbred. This is probably the reason why there has been limited information regarding avian blood types.

As we all know, blood typing is important in crossbreeding horses and cats because it may have an impact to newborn foals and kittens. Mismatch in blood transfusion may cause death in horses and cats. The avian family comes in different many orders and normally; breeding is confined within the same order. There may have been rare cases of crossbreeding but generally “one species’ courtship signals are only recognized by the same species.”

Because breeding birds is not as tough as breeding horses and other animals, there are only a few things you must take into account when you plan to breed birds.

1. You can only breed birds when they are at least 1.5 years old. If you can wait, 2 years old would be perfect. Couple should be in good condition. Any medical issues that the parent birds have can be passed on to their babies.

2. Newborn birds should be quarantined for at least 30 days. The young should be placed in separate cages. Veterinary examination is of a great help.

3. Parent birds should be given a “varied and complete diet” including seeds, pellets, vegetables, calcium supplements, and breeding formula in the process of breeding and even after breeding.

4. Space should be large enough for the parent birds to move around. Because many birds resort to plucking their own feathers when there are not enough nesting materials available, you can provide them yourself. Paper towels can be used if you cannot find natural ones. Remember that a comfortable environment encourages them to breed.

5. In the process of breeding, female birds should be given calcium supplements to prevent her from getting frail bones.

6. Parent birds should be monitored to ensure that they are not loosing weight, which is caused by overwork and so, stress. Laying females should be checked to avoid egg binding, which may cause death of the young.

7. Always keep watch on the babies. This time they are prone to spayed legs. When this happens, they must be treated right away.

8. Monitoring should be done in the young until the 4th week since birth. By then, you can leave them if they are in good shape or you can have them checked by a veterinarian.

Then, you can decide what to do with your new birds—sell them or take care of them, and wait till you can again breed them. After all, breeding birds is that easy.

About the Author

This Article is written by Lena Butler, the author of Health & Drug Testing Information Center a longer version of this article is located at Avian Family: Avian Blood Types, Breeding and Protecting the Young, and resources from other home health and wellness testing articles are used such as Home Health Testing.

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