Hooray but help please

[Babybird]

Well they came back in when I called them this morning, but a sleepless night for me!! How do you go about keeping them hungry without feeling like you are going to starve them? They get fed an ounce each per day divided into two, one half in the morning and one half in the evening. Yesterday for their maiden flight out I gave them half of their half in the morning but that was all. How do you judge how hungry they are?how long do you keep them hungry before they get out as when they come in they get fed, how long does it take for them to digest the food they already have on board? Any suggestions? at least they didnt just fly off into the sunset and they waited for me this morning. They dont have to be expert trappers as I am going to use them for a release business but that was taking the mickey lastnight!!!

[pjc]

an ounce is prob a bit light for growing yb's, give them 1/2oz in morning and then main feed after excercise in evening or other way arround if excerciseing in morning.

at main feed offer as much as they want until 1st bird goes for drink and then take food away.

[pjc]

p.s

if they mess you around at coming in then cut next 1/2 feed back, they'll soon learn.

[cowman]

if mine wont trap i miss the feed all together they soon learn after that they all trap well.

[Guest stb]

dont worry about fast trapping when they are very young.

 

a ounce is to little at this age   . give them quarter ounce in morning and   feed them as much as they want  when they come in at night until the first one goes to drinker then lift the feeder right away.  if you let them drink they will go back for more and stuff themselfes.

[REDCHEQHEN]

p.s

if they mess you around at coming in then cut next 1/2 feed back, they'll soon learn.

 

if only (shrug)

[Roland]

I hand feed if and when possible. 1/2 in morning ... trap if out and a little tib bit... Hekp, aniseed, Blue Ribband. Then feed by hand in loft at night - Also combats the cold and warms them at night. as soon as a few start moving awa stop feeding. Later ones will be a bit keener next time. Don't believe in just chucking 12 oz in for 24 birds and walking away.... some earlier eat too much, and trap lazier next day... others get nowt where that need some. best to get all in and hand feed as I said.... as soon as some move away, stop feding. Keeps them all keen and also fed.