Kate

Hi, Well I've check the FAQ and nosed around in different topics, can't quite find something on this. My pet pair have five healthy chicks from five eggs (first clutch). First two chicks are 3 weeks old today. Before the hatching started I bought hand-rearing formula but have not had to use it. :rofl: But since I have the stuff, is there any "good" reason to bring the chicks out in the evening and give them a kind of social feeding? I'd rather leave mom to her good work, but I was wondering if there would be a substantial benefit to doing this ... as these chicks will be our pets as well (two of them might go to another home). Because everybody loves piccies, here are the two eldest today: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v317/wanda23/IMG_7754.jpg

Thanks KAZ, really glad I found this place!

Thanks Kaz you are right, checking back at cover-up time I see the millet in the middle (nibbled-on) and the chickees taking the corners for themselves :-)

Hi Diana, sorry, I deleted my response to you by mistake! --- from northwestern New Jersey, quite a ways from you Thanks Liv, once we got started down the "documentation" road it was hard to stop!

Hi dek21, thanks for that information! I'm not knowledgeable enough yet about the double factor aspect for the babies, though, lol.We were just thrilled to see blue beneath the downy fluff on Simone (son is hoping for a darker blue).

Hello, by way of introduction I'm new to this forum and have already found much useful information! Our budgies came to us two years ago as very young ones. After seeing some nesting behavior from our girl Lucy in June, I provided a nesting box and they got right to work! Unfortunately I have no decent still photos yet, but I have been keeping a video diary of their first parenting experience on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/LucyAndHorton (short 30-second clips) The only interference I've done was to hold back the oldest two chicks for 5 minutes, when returning the babies back to the nesting box after cleanout. (I was concerned that the crop on the youngest was not filling up after two days.) Otherwise, watching the parents "do everything right" has been a privilege! Now I will start researching ways to ensure mom and dad don't look to make another clutch right away, lol.

Hello, I stumbled upon this wonderful forum while investigating the weaning process. Not my first parakeets, but first time my pair mated. (I'm keeping a video diary on youtube, http://www.youtube.com/user/LucyAndHorton ) This is a wonderful idea, will try it during the next cleanout. I'm not sure about pouring seed into the bottom as I worry about it getting mixed in with the poop (the youngest is just 2 weeks old today). But I will put a small millet sprig in 2 of the corners.