help and advice needed

[Holliedale]

Right, basic info is i have now a pair of african spotted eagle owls, 2004 babies, have found out they are related after some digging around to find the breeder, so they will ahve to be seprated as i am aiming for a breeding pair, hoping to get them DNA sexed so i know what ive got then i will need to get another ASEO to create a pair with one of mine, the other i will train for flying. My problem is they are very bonded and i dont want to distress them, at the moment they are kept together in the avairy and we handle one at a time, but when we take one out the other sits by the door and gets a bit distressed. what should i do for the best? an also does anyone have a spare african spotted eagle owl.
Im also looking for a handreared snowy owl, to bring on for flying, although i would also like a breeding pair, just incase anyone has any :lol:

[Orvil]

if you are going to breed owls naturally then they need to be parent reared, if they are you will have big problems trying to fly one now you have found out they are related. one of the main reasons owls are hand reared is to enagle you to fly them because beleive it or not owls are very aggressive and not very bright. So as a role if your flying HR and if there breeding by themselves PR

[Holliedale]

I had turkmanian eagle owls years ago they were both hand reared, but they started to lay., I f i leave the one that will be for breeding well alone, surely it would revert back to be wild? most owls seem to be handreared these days.

[Osiris]

Lol.

Righty then... do you have enough space to build an aviary next to your present avairy that you hold both owls and of which you can have enough space to put a partician up???
If so...Build it :D lol, but make sure both owls can see each other all the time, but only for a certain amount of time. Gradually cut down the time they can see each other each day or every few days. This will help bring the dependancy both owls have on each other down and they will see no need to be with each other in the same aviary. Does that make sense?
J

[Holliedale]

Yes makes sense and can be done, whats the best way to introduce another owl with the one that we hope is a boy, need to sort out DNA testing really soon too so that we can know for sure if he is really a he!!

[Osiris]

lol. yeah DNA test would be a good thing!! :d

Well.. introducing them is not too bad... Teather them out (if your not at a center) together for an hour or so at a time every day so they get used to being with each other. Keep doing this until YOU think that they are getting used to each other being next to each other. But be aware that accidents may happen when you introduce them in the aviary together, however you should keep a very close eye on them for the first few days if not the week.

[Holliedale]

were/how can i get them DNA tested?

[Osiris]

for more info on DNA testing go to:

www.an-gen.com or u can phone them on 0131 445 6101

[Holliedale]

have done that , hopefully will know what sex they are soon.