jsldb

HI all, I just thought id drop a quick post to let you all know that despite my iggnorance and having to remove the mother all three babies are doing well (touch wood) The two eldest are eating on their own they they hassle dad still. The youngest will nibble millet and drink water but he is stll mostly relying on dad. I was feeding her but she seems okay so I havnt in about 3 days. I have moved them to the big cage too. The youngest proberly wasnt quite ready but it just wasnt fair on the others and I had a lice / mite prob so I moved them. Im fairly sure that whislt the youngest is now feathered ect his mannerisms tell me he is a little underdeveloped. Perhaps only mentally - considers himself still a baby- but he seems fine. I havnt put the mum back in yet as the youngest is still relying on dad. Will not return her until I see him eating seed. But without bragging, I must say I am proud of myself and the budgies of course, for doing so well. I could not have done it without you all so a big thank you to you all, esp Kaz, Libby and neat. But not forgetting everyone else too. Ill post some pics when I get a chance but just wanted to let you all know and say thanks

HI all, Just an update. I took out the breeding box through the day, im still using it at night for the bubs to sleep in as they are in smaler cage I just dont have room for big container. I am using a tupperware container with some material to sit on through the day. The youngest refuses to stay in there, I didnt really think this was a problem and this morning took it out so that he had moe floor space. However after a couple of hours I put it back because even though he wont stay in it I think he still needs the security of it. Just his body language told me he did not feel secure. So im thinking if he really should be in he box or if its okay he is on the cage floor. He is picking at millet and I have put all seed on the floor plus ina dish and water to. But if you think he shopuld be in the box ill find something higher. I think also he is seeing the other two and dad all fluttering around up on the perches and he feels a bit left out. The older two are really good. I caught the dad trying to mate with the eldest girl again yesterday but the situation seems to be in hand. Im pretty sure I had two girls and a boy by the way. But they are flying around the cage and picking and eating off dad so all in all considering my inexperience and there could be bigger conditions I think they are doing really well. (touch wood) Ill give it another week then move them to their big cage. Unrelated but cool anyway, As I mentione d before I only just got this pair before they started laying eggs. The cock was sociable - would listen to me talk ect, then slowly let me put my hand on the cage then my finger in the cage and he wouldnt fly off. Well last night he actually sat on my finger. I think he must have been tame at one stage perhaps and is enjoying the interaction. But I was most surprised and impressed. He doesnt try to bite or anything. Very cute.

Really, I didnt think about that but yeh, I see your point. I dont spray deodarant in my face so I guess when you look at it like that. Whats spot on? Ill wait a week or so I guess to get them over that four week mark

HI, I have a problem. My budgies have bird mites / lice. What I would like to know is if it is safe to use on the babies? The eldest is about 33days and then 30 days and 26 days (or so). I noticed it yesterday so I have bought the spray but just wanted to check it was safe for the babies as it doesnt say on the bottle.

okay sorry, I misunderstood you before.

Kaz, Do you mean the ice cream container set up? Ill do it today. Ill take the breeder box out. Will the youngest stay in there. The other two spend most their time grazing around cage. They all still use box and they all sleep in there.

Cool, Ill leave him there. Thank you. He is feeding them mostly the older two so ill leave them to it and just keep my eye on them.

So do I take hm out? Or leave him?

With all this rain, I had no choice but to put mum near the dad and babies for a day, This morning I caught the dad feeding for about 10 secs then trys to jump on the babies back - Obviously have at least two females... (Laughing out loud) I moved the mum again but he is just ignoring them wanting food. I am going to remove him and just finish raising them however the eldest two wont eat from me, last few times I tried anyway... So I'm very worried about doing this. They are both fledged but still feeding quiet regularly from dad. I feel this is my fault as I left them near each other for a day, But it was either that or get babies soaked. Any advise - I figure feed four times a day anything else?

really, You can tell from that picture? You are good I was wondering about that, couldnt think of any names cause I wasnt sure. How cute a little girl. Thought I had 3 boys but I guess not.

Thank you... And I thought human babies were hard... Well they are as we know but not having a clue really is daunting. I certaintly have learnt alot - Like not to laugh at my sister when she says you dont know what your in for.. Fingers crossed just few more weeks and they will be flying free so to speak.

Ill post one now, just took itok, Here he is on the 15.3.08and here he is todayWhat do you think progressing well ? This is them all together

HI all,Babies are doing well - The two older ones will not accept food from me but they seem to be doing okay, I have a mix of vegies and egg and also millet sprays and water and canary seed for them to pick at. The youngest im up to feeding three times a day and he is eating more and more from me each time. The dad seems to be getting a little jack of feeding them, The two eldest have fledged and spend alot of time around the cage, however I was just watching them and the dad will give a real quick feed and then take off with the poos even though the baby is chasing him for more food. - The funniest thing, the eldest one seems to feed the youngest one. I dont know if its cause the youngest is just hounding him for it or if teh eldest knows the youngest needs more?? - Very strange and was interested to know if they are going through the motions or if they are really feeding each other.- Now that the elder two have fledged the youngest seems forgotten about, but now I see the dad less and less interested my next question is this - are teh older two okay to "fend" for them selves so to speak - They wont eat frrom me and I would imagine are getting a few small feeds but nothing major from the dad. The eldest is drinking water and such not sure about the other one though havnt seen him. Just worried tehy are getting enough to eat. If the dad is getting cranky do I need to step in?They really need to go to bigger cage but the youngest isnt ready... Im virtually rasing him anyway, Bring him inside to warm up and feed him and cuddles ect. I dont keep him away from cage for more than 20 mins at a time though. Should the youngest be removed as im feeding him so much? Have I made teh dad reject him? Ive only offered when I felt it was needed ( IE empty crop when its usually full at certain times) But dont want to annoy the dad...Anyway a million questions once again, :)Also the dad appears to dumping alot of seed in them instaed of soft food, he has plenty there but it explains why the youngest looked so gorged the other day,,, I read some where after wards that they can just dump seed instead of a healthy mix of all food provided

Just found a use for my processor my partner bought me a year ago... He seen me and goes OH you finally using it, then he seen what I was making... You and those bloody birds he says. (Laughing out loud)

I just come back to ask about water you beat me to it so thanks, i seen an earlier thread about soaking seed so I will read it again and make your suggested mix to. I dont intend breeding her for atleast 9 mths as she had one baby before i got her althogh she didnt have that baby long (two weeks) I think she could do with a break for a long while, im going to keep the youngest as my pet and one of the eldest is going to the lady who gave me th emum and dad and then the other ill will get a mate for and breed them next year.

Hi all, Just thoght id give an update. So far so good, the older two have left the box and can get back in on their own so they are picking around the cage ect. LEft millet sprays on the floor for them and the dad. I put some in the nesting box as well as some canary seed (though smaller and softer than budgie) My youngest yesterday must have gorged him self BIG TIME when I checked on him late yesterday afternoon he was that full I swear I could see the seed in his crop. (dont know if thats possible but boy he was full) checked on him last night and his number twos were very firm so i offered him a little water but he wasnt interested, he seems fine this morning. Ive been feeding the youngest at about 10.30 - 11am he isnt taking that much from me but I feed him til he stops and then just watch through out the day and if I think he needs it doing the same thing in the afternoon. They really need to go to the big cage as the two eldest have "fledged" but the youngest is not ready. BUT the cage just doesnthave enough room for the elder two to do much at all. Im considering putting them in the big cage but keeping the youngest seperate? Proberly not the best idea and Id rather wait til he was feathered a bit better before I did. The elder two just look like budgies now - as in all the feathers are not pinned (is that what you call it) and they are eating the lillet no probs - But obviously the little one iseatng it too (Laughing out loud) The dad is still calling the hen but she couldnt care less by the look of it... Once the babies have fledged can I put the mum back in (when I move them to big cage) or should I wait until I remove the nest box (when do I do this) Anyway all seems well at the moment and its mostly thanks to you all so again THANK YOU so much, will post some updated photos this afternoon

I didnt have a suitable container to put them in will he not go inthe box? He is at the door feeding them but that means that two miss out or tleast the youngest..

Yes im sure I dont give them enough credit. I checked their crops before, they did not look full so I made my beak - Broke about 10 plastic spoons... (Laughing out loud) So i got some plastic curled it up and fastened it. The two eldest were not interested but the younger one got straight into it. I wasnt sure how much to feed him and his crop wasnt full still but he stopped so I did too. The dad is still just chit cahtting away so ive moved her even further but he is still at it. Havnt seen him in the box all morning. They arnt crying for food and arnt lethargic so im just leaving them to it and will offer more food this afternoon if there crops are stuill not full

No probs. Ill do that. Should I worry if the big chicks are siting on the little one even his head. When I checked them earlier one was just sitting there comfy as on his head !

She is really quiet. Not calling out at all. They are not near each other. Its just him calling out to her. The plastic spoon sounds much easier. Thanks.

Thank you, I am stressed. I would be devastated if I lost one. Esp the youngest. I have never had babies of any animal nature before and they have been such good parents until yesterday and today and I jsut dont know if I should just back off or if im doing what I should be. I doubt its a coincidense taht I happen to catch them on the only two occasions. (him mating and her doing something to make one screech out) This forum is amazing I must say. Good work you guys. I discovered it because every google I made led hear. An abudunce of info and help on hand. I think a little fire lit in my soul when those eggs were laid and I have a funny feeling this is the beginning of something new.

I went to a pet shop that I know the owner is a keen bird breeder. He gave me some food that he said he has raised heaps of babies on. He recommended that I get a tea spoon and bend it with pliers to immitate a beak. Any advise you haev would be good. I havnt fed them yet, I just checked on them before and there crops are not full. However they arnt crying for food either. He was in the box earlier feeding them but he is just sitting on his perch calling her. They are on opposite sides of the house and as much as I think I have done the right thing I think he is missing her big time. Im wondering if that alone will impact on his ability.. Will they be okay if tehy miss a feed? Would they miss their mum?

going to check them soon, feed them if I have to, I dont think he has??

yes they are bar the youngest, he is still mostly down. He isnt developing as quick as the other two. The dad was in feeding them but he is mostly calling for her. Dont think they have been seperated for a long long time.

I have vitamins i put in there water, and have been mixing 1 part hand rearing mix to 3 parts egg and biscuit and making it like porridge. The water I use for the egg and biscuit should I add vitamins to?