lovejoy

Thank you all for your prompt advice. To answer some of the questions: The mother and father stopped feeding when they started mating again. Then the mother died from what appeared to be an egg bound egg. We found her one morning dead on the floor of the aviary with no other signs of injury except broken egg round her oviduct. Three of the babies had already been killed by the father and we managed to save the oldest and the youngest. I think perhaps the formula (Wombaroo Granivore) was too hot for the youngest chick as he was feeding well and "bobbing" well after the first few attempts at feeding, but then suddenly became listless cold and wouldn't feed. He died soon after. The older bird is taking food from a bent spoon or syringe but because we were reluctant to make him too wet after the first few feedings, we didn't get to clean his cheek feathers properly and they are now getting stiff from formula. What is the best way to get it off now? We have put another cock bird in with him. The cock bird was seen feeding this clutch, and other clutches we have had so hopefully he will feed the baby. By the way, the baby is in the process of fledging now so how do we wean him onto seed? Sorry - all these questions! We've always had great parent birds and never had to intervene before so this is all new territory for us. Thanks again for all your advice.

We have been breeding budgies successfully for several years - no baby deaths and all well. However, one of our mums died on the weekend with two chicks left in the nest; one very young and the other about three weeks old. We had no option but to try and hand rear. The youngest one, although seeming to be thriving on formula, died yesterday. We were shattered. The older one is still with us, but looks listless. Any advice, any tips to keep this baby (now about 4 weeks) alive would be so appreciated. I apologise if there is already a thread pertaining to this. Lovejoy