Kate.

That is petty much the method I use to wean them and the oldest has been has been eating like this for afew weeks, and has show the others the ropes. The aggressive chick is getting the idea too but is only interested when I'm not in view. I hope as weaning progresses it calms down. But I don't like leaving it to HOPE. This young bird will not make a pet if it attacks all my visters. And as I have a coleny breeding aviary I don't want more Hens in it than boys. Looks like I'll be building a new flight for the rejects soon, (Laughing out loud).

Hi, My name is Kate, I've hand Budgies for 28 years and took the plunge in to breeding 4 years ago. I have two breeding pairs, another pair that will breed next summer. And chicks all over the place. I hand rear the chicks to help them be better pets, but I don't charge silly money for them. They all have names and where all tamed pets in my home until I bought a large aviary and shed. Now they are talking friendly aviary birds, (Laughing out loud). I'm looking forward to chatting with you all. It'll be nice to chat with poeple who know what your on about. So few pople keep budgies these days. We all live in England, in a Village about 25 miles from London. A Big HELLO to you all. Kate and the gang.

Hi i was wondering if any one can shed light on to why only one of my chicks (4 weeks old) has started bitting very hard and will not let go. They have been hand reared from 2 weeks old and they have all been doing really well. This one how ever is first in the que for a feed and is expert at rushing across the cage and jumping out the door in a split second, in order to get to me. This is a crazed behaviour not unlike when the chicks want feeding, but if I don't have a syringe ready right away it goes strait for my finger like a pitbull. These are not normal testing nips, it REALLY hurts and it hangs on and Will not let go untill I prise it off and then it goes for me again right away. I have to remove it from the cage when I'm handling, feeding, clean etc, because no matter how much food it eats, it is intent on bitting at any time. It's a horrible behaviour. I have never had a bird that bits with such gusto and I'm currently worried it has a mental problem. I am currently starting weaning, which is causing more problems because it will only eat what I feed from a spoon and I seems to prefer finger flovoured snacks. The other chicks are all so lovely and normal, happy to eat food from a shallow dish as long as it's warm. Happy to be handled and not frightened at all. Any info would be greatfully received. Also if any one has recommendations as how to deal with the problem I would be pleased to hear from them also. Kate.