My hen injured her beak in a fight and can't fed her chicks. Dad took over feding the two biggest but would not fed the newly hatched bub. As i had no other hens with chicks I have been feeding this bub myslef and keeping him under a light at 35/36C . He is three days old now and eating well seems pretty stong and active and growing too.

 

I was wondering is it ever okay to put him back out with the other two older chicks that are being fed by dad? As this is my first clutch i can't help thinking he would have a better chance in the nest even if its only the father feeding.

 

If i put him back to see if the father will fed him is there a chance of him being attacked or thrown out of the nest?

 

Please any help.

 

Also the hen's beak is split from a fight. right now she is healthy and active the male is feeding her but she wont fed the chicks. should i take her to the vet now? Or should i wait and see. Because she looks very healthy apart form the split.

As the beak is such a sensitive area i would get her seen to by a vet. As to the bub if you think it's growing and strong enough to demand food over it's older siblings you could try putting it back with dad. You should stay nearby to make sure there are no "fighting" sounds though, just incase it does turn nasty.

Perhaps put her, along with dad and the chicks into a hospital cage when you take mum to the avian vet. That would stop any fretting about being taken away from her babies. (any comment breeders?)

My hen injured her beak in a fight and can't fed her chicks. Dad took over feding the two biggest but would not fed the newly hatched bub. As i had no other hens with chicks I have been feeding this bub myslef and keeping him under a light at 35/36C . He is three days old now and eating well seems pretty stong and active and growing too.

 

I was wondering is it ever okay to put him back out with the other two older chicks that are being fed by dad? As this is my first clutch i can't help thinking he would have a better chance in the nest even if its only the father feeding.

 

If i put him back to see if the father will fed him is there a chance of him being attacked or thrown out of the nest?

 

Please any help.

 

Also the hen's beak is split from a fight. right now she is healthy and active the male is feeding her but she wont fed the chicks. should i take her to the vet now? Or should i wait and see. Because she looks very healthy apart form the split.

 

Sorry, I didn't see this before or I would have posted an answer for you.

Your hen wouldn't be feeling great, so her last thought would be feeding the chicks. She probably wont fret either, so separation is okay. When hens get sick they usually give up on their chicks as they need all their reserves to look after themselves and fight infections. The beak injury may not look too bad, but is in an area prone to high infections. The closer to the brain the more dangerous an infection can be as well. She does need an avian vet and most likely an antibiotic against infection. It doesn't take much for everything to turn "pear-shaped" overnight and a budgie will go downhill rapidly once infection sets in.

If Dad is feeding the older chicks thats great. How much age gap is there between the chicks ? If they are close in ages, I would try and keep the youngest in with the others, but with constant checks to see all is well and baby is being fed. It would be rare for Dad to attack or throw out the youngest chick. If it doesn't work, then you are just back to feeding the youngest again.

Budgies are notorious for accepting all newcomers and fostering in nests, but it's all down to what kind of a Dad he is. The hen that is sick should be separated from them, so Dad has no distractions, and the mum can get well. There aren't any other budgies in with the Dad and chicks, is there ?

Let us know how you get on. Happy to add more if I can help.

Cheers karen

Edited January 10, 200718 yr by Bubbles

if you have the time i would try and feed it till about 7 day old the replace in the nest box it will then be bigger and noisier so should stand a better chance of being fed

I am a bit worried about separating the hen because she is sitting on the chicks and keeping them warm. Dad is only coming in to fed them. She has hatched another egg yesterday and i can't seem to get her inteseted in this chick at all. She wont even keep him warm or fed him. So he is in and out of the box like the other little one and being fed by me.

 

The two smaller ones are allot smaller because there were a couple of infertile eggs inbetween these two and the first two hatching.

 

I worry that if i take her out the older two will freeze. They are only just a little fuzzy no feathers yet. But both are doing well on dads feds and mums warmth

I have only just noticed you are in Perth too. PM me for phone contacts and we will talk. I have hens I can foster your babies to and we can save them all if you need this kind of help. Then your hen can get better.

Edited January 11, 200718 yr by Bubbles

Oh also.

I am recovering from an illness so i am home all the time.

So I have plenty of time to continue feeding them if this is the best option.

Right now I have them in my cleavage to keep them at a good temperature and i feed them whenever they ask for it.

Is this okay??

 

I keep them under a heat light at 34.5c at night. In my room and if they wake hungary i fed them once or twice in the night too.

Oh also.

I am recovering from an illness so i am home all the time.

So I have plenty of time to continue feeding them if this is the best option.

Right now I have them in my cleavage to keep them at a good temperature and i feed them whenever they ask for it.

Is this okay??

 

I keep them under a heat light at 34.5c at night. In my room and if they wake hungary i fed them once or twice in the night too.

Cleavage sounds good. I have done the same. If you are happy as you are thats fine and all the best for this adventure. If you need any help. Just PM me and we can work something out.