Zwolle: second pip

I have received many questions about feeding behaviour after hatching. There is no distinct behaviour. One thing is for sure: there is no need to worry! Feeding always starts!
Feeding is an instinct, one of the most strong ones there is. When an eyas is begging and spreads it's little mout open is enough to get the feeding behaviour going. This behaviour is triggered by the hormones prolactine and progesteron. The same ones make birds start incubating and have a broodpatch. One thing goes with the other ones.
Just before pipping the eggshell, the rest yolk is been sucked up by the cloaca of the hatchling. That is a lot of yolk coming in to the intestants of the eyas. Enough to keep the little thing well fed for 48 hours. This is done because in those 48 hours the other eyases will hatch as well. And the parents will not leave the nest when that happens. The female will refuse food while hatching is going on. So the first and second born may have to do it with their yolksupply until feeding commences. And it always does.
As soon as the parent moves or stands up the eyases by instinct start to scream and beg. This is not an emotion, but an instinct. Please keep the difference in mind.
Couples who had several nests start feeding much sooner because they are experiencend and have breeded together much longer. So the female will allow the male much more responsabilities besides catching prey