It is possible to offer a fresh box for a third round after the chicks are separated. I have done this successfully but only with pairs that reared no more than two chicks in the first round simply because I think that the rearing process is so intensive for the hen (entry to chick removal around16 weeks) that one round a year is enough. Removal of the nest box can be a minor problem since the chicks (and often the hen) will continue to dive back into it for security long after they should have left. Initially I simply evicted them but have found an effective but less brutal alternative. I made up a panel of fine weldmesh which fits over the open lid of the box. Deprived of the darkness they abandon the box, which can then be removed without drama the following day. I have yet to hear of successful colony breeding of Madagascars – possibly because of the lack of pair bonding.
Mortality and Breeding Span It has been said that Madagascars are 1) Delicate 2) Short-lived (4 – 5 yrs) and 3) only have 2 – 3 years of fertility. I can only comment from my experience but that does not support any of the above.
Including acquisitions I have records 16 BIRD SCENE
on 161 birds – I have recorded 7 deaths. Of these, one was old age and 2 were within a month of arrival in poor conditions. One was a youngster killed by its single-sex cage mates (the only instance I have had of serious aggression). The remaining 3 are unexplained. Regarding fertility and lifespan, I had a cock arrived as adult in 2002 (hatched 2001) which died in December 2007, making him at least close to 7 years old. He had 3 mates and bred every year 2002 – 2007 inclusive except 2003 when the only available hen was too young. In total he reared 24 chicks. His first mate died on the nest in 2002 with a month old 2nd round chick, which he reared single-handed. His 3rd mate reared 2004 – 2007 inclusive and last I heard was still going strong. I gave her to a friend with an odd old cock bird. Incidentally I have three ’09 youngsters which trace directly back to this cock, each generation being 1st year bred – making them the 8th generation over 8 years.
Fertility and Chick Losses As will be seen from the section on “statistics” fertility varies between clutches. Usually 5 or 6 eggs are laid and some pairs are certainly more productive than others but I have
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