Hen Plucking Chick

[Ellie 0]

Hi everyone.

 

My female budgie has been puckling the back & head of her one and only 4 week old chick!

I don't know if she is still feeding the chick properly either.

It's stressing me out and I die a little bit inside every time I hear the chick squeak in pain.

What should I do?

 

Thank you!

 

Ellie.

 

P.S I have other female budgies, could they possibly foster the chick even though they aren't currently nesting?

Should I remove the female and let daddy bird do all the work?

He's fed the chick before but mummy bird does 90% of the feeding.

Also, I don't know if this has anything to do with it but I walked out today to find the pair having a morning root.

[Finnie 0]

Hi Ellie,

 

Other people with more experience may have more advice for you, but when any of my chicks get to be about 4 weeks, if I see any sign at all of the mother hurting them, I take the mother away. The dad can cope with the whole clutch at that point, is my feeling. And with just one chick, I should think no problem.

 

Based on their behavior, they probably want to start the next round, so that is when they might decide to turn on the chicks, to clear the way for the next batch.

 

Actually, at four weeks, you could even move the chick out by itself, and watch it to see if it eats on its own. But it would be better if it could stay with Dad, who will show it all the ropes. It depends on whether you want the pair to go for a second round. Or, you could put it with the other non-breeding birds. One of them might take pity on it and feed it. At the very least, it can learn to copy them.

[Maddy 0]

I agree with Finnie.

 

Take the hen out and let dad take over. They usually take over the feeding after 2 weeks anyway.

[**KAZ** 0]

I also agree with Finnie...........and act fast or the Mum could kill this baby to get it out of the way of her next clutch.

[Pride 0]

Yeah these are all great advice. Lets hope that "morning root" won't cause any fertilised eggs or that could be a problem if dad is helping current chick

[Ellie 0]

Thanks for the responses everyone :-)

Much appreciated!

 

Mother bird stopped plucking baby bird after I took her out for a few hours.

 

Yesterday she popped out another egg with baby bird still in the nesting box!

Should I allow her to breed again after the whole plucking experience?

I don't know if she's deserving of any more chickies!

 

 

[GenericBlue 0]

Thanks for the responses everyone :-)

Much appreciated!

 

Mother bird stopped plucking baby bird after I took her out for a few hours.

 

Yesterday she popped out another egg with baby bird still in the nesting box!

Should I allow her to breed again after the whole plucking experience?

I don't know if she's deserving of any more chickies!

 

 

im sorry but did i read you put chick back

i would remove mum and let dad raise the chick as suggested if you ask then dont listen why ask in first place the hen may kill the chick before end of her next clutch and i think you should let dad raise its only few more weeks till its fully out safe then put mum in for next round when bubby is safe or keep on with what you have done and risk your only buby to death

[splat 0]

Yes I thought that strange, putting chick back, when you least expect it then will attack the chick if she has started laying again.

If you have another cage put the chick and cock in that so he feeds it, put a little container on the floor like an up turned margarine container so the chick has some where secure to hide and the if you want you can put the cock in with the hen for a few hours a day to do his business if you want the hen to stay there and lay that badly. But the cock needs to be with the chick more until it learns to feed by itself.

Never! never!! put a chick in with a hen that is not raising babies it will kill it.

[Ellie 0]

wow, i completely forgot to reply to this!

it's been a while since i've been on the forum.

just thought i'd let everyone know that the chick grew up to be a healthy female budgie even after allowing the hen back into the nesting box with her.