Need some advice please.
I have a clutch of 6 with one runt. On last nest check it was clear parents had moved it away from others and probably in the process of getting rid of it. So I placed it back with others where it stayed.
Could I transfer it to another nest with younger babies?
What is the best way to see that this runt survives?
Thanks.
John
Should you transfer a runt to a new nest?
2011 One Nesting Pair, 4 eggs, 4 Fledged. Heath cedar home with SREH
2012 10 Nesting pair. 53 eggs, 46 babies, 36 Fledged. Trendsetter 12
2013 12 Nesting pair. 72 eggs. 50 babies. 49 Fledged. Trendsetter 12
2014 Trendsetter 12 with 2 Vertical Gourds
2012 10 Nesting pair. 53 eggs, 46 babies, 36 Fledged. Trendsetter 12
2013 12 Nesting pair. 72 eggs. 50 babies. 49 Fledged. Trendsetter 12
2014 Trendsetter 12 with 2 Vertical Gourds
Hi John,
I have transferred young in previous years, and the foster parents have always raised them just like their own. It is important that the birds you transfer, are about the same size as the young in the foster nest.
Gary
I have transferred young in previous years, and the foster parents have always raised them just like their own. It is important that the birds you transfer, are about the same size as the young in the foster nest.
Gary
john e : I would try it out of curiosity. what is there to loose? Paint the toe nails on the runt so you can tell it apart. It will make it easier on the other pair to raise one less anyway. I suppose there are some that will say let nature take its course, I just don't happen to be one of them. Good luck with what ever decision you make.
Ed
Ed
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Anthony Neira
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2014 1:12 pm
- Location: San Antonio /Texas
- Martin Colony History: Started in 1992 From neighbors old 1950-60's colonies. Have 8 Trio 6 Room Houses, 4 MPP Poles, 1 Heath Deluxe Gourd with Troyer Porch, 8 NatureLine Gourds with Troyer Porches, 5 Troyer Horizontals ,& 2 S&K 11" WITH Troyer Porches ready for 2019 Season !
John, in my 22 yr.s hosting P.Ms, I regret not transfering runts when I started. It was sad to see them not make it. When I did transfer, I made sure of the right size, and not too many others in the nest. Sometimes they did'nt make it, but Most of the time they did. Nothing wrong with having a fighting chance! Good luck!
the key is to find a nest with same size babies the new parents will take care of them like their own 
2015 69 pairs 418 eggs 396 fledged
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
2019 I have 148 openings now
2016 100 pairs 600 babies fledged added another t-14 and have 126 openings now
2015 Jun 24 360 babies and 58 eggs also found one that had died
2017 632 babies 11died and 20 were killed by hawks
2015 74 pairs and 9 eggs 5/14
2010 3pairss
]JOINED PMCA JUNE 6,2018
2018 651 babies 5 hawk kills 11 floater kills 25 died in houses and 610 fledged
2014 80 pairs 283 babies 282 fledged one died
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ROBINMOULIERE
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:00 pm
- Location: Alexandria, Louisiana
I have transferred 3 nestlings already as of yesterday. I had a subbie that threw them out to take over the nest.
I have done it in the past and it has worked each time. I feed them meal worms or crickets and place them where they need to be and record it. I always make sure I match their age/size, and never over burden the parents with too many nestlings to feed. I check on them daily to make sure they are thriving.
Good luck to you. If one falls behind it is good to move it, I think. At least you are giving it a fighting chance rather than just sitting back waiting. The small ones usually don't catch up especially once the bigger have their eye open.
I have done it in the past and it has worked each time. I feed them meal worms or crickets and place them where they need to be and record it. I always make sure I match their age/size, and never over burden the parents with too many nestlings to feed. I check on them daily to make sure they are thriving.
Good luck to you. If one falls behind it is good to move it, I think. At least you are giving it a fighting chance rather than just sitting back waiting. The small ones usually don't catch up especially once the bigger have their eye open.
Robin's Nest for purple martins in memory of Mr. Bands. (Mr. Bands came 2010 from New Jersey as a 2 year old. 2011, he CAME BACK TO US, but found dead inside a cavity at start of 2011 season.) 2010- 53 fledged, 2011- 75 fledged, 2012- 109 fledged. Using 2 28 Trendsetter units.
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eyeamtheman
- Posts: 633
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2003 3:21 pm
- Location: Quitman, La
- Martin Colony History: Super colony
I have moved many runts, and they all seemed to do fine.
Johnny