My first pair of budgies currently have four eggs in the nest and the females started sitting just c couple of days ago. I was wondering how much interference is too much?

 

I know not to touch the eggs or chase her off while she is sitting. But is there risks involved with handling the chicks once they hatch. I was told as a kid that if you picked up tthe chick and then returned it to the nest. The parents would reject it because it smelt of human hands. Is there any truth int this?

 

I'm not going to take the chicks from the nest but is the any harm in removing them for just a couple of minutes at a time to check them out?

The mother rejecting them because they smell like human, is an old wive's tale. Birds have a poorly developed sense of smell. You can start handling the babies from one week onward, but I would recommend 2 weeks onward. Always wash you hands before you toch them as their immune systems are new so are more susceptable to illness when young. Tap the side of the nest box before you open it so that you can give the mother a warning.

Excellent advice Sailor!

Yes, I handle all my babies, while this doesn't tame them it does make it easier in dealing with the hens when it is their turn to nest as they are not frightened.

I love it when they get their down & start feathering, I just love the baby bird smell!

I handle all the young as well and I also kick my hens off the eggs, when I need to check if there is a new one or not. They bite and scream and finally move enough for me to see then happily tuck them all under again.

 

You can handle the eggs a few times with clean hands to check on them, such as to see if they are firtile or not.

A total myth, even with wild birds. People rush in with a baby bird that has not yet fledged and are astounded that they could have returned it to the nest. Since my silly budgies bred on the cage floor I had to handle the babies every day, several times a day since birth and they all turned out just fine.