Hi Folks,

 

okay, I didn't plan on breeding budgies. My bird was lonely. I was convinced she was a he. We had been calling her a 'he' for about a year. Her bill sure looked blue/purple to me!

 

He (she) seemed lonely so we got 'another' male. Well, by the title of my post, you've already figured out what happened.

 

When I realized what the two little buggers had done, I started studying the boards and learning as much as I could. I have not been able to find a local breeder who I could ask for advice. (What's a good way to find a local breeder?)

 

Anyways, Peanutbutter and Jellee produced 4 eggs. One hatched and was immediately kicked out of the nest. I tried to hand-feed the baby, but he only lasted 24 hours ...sniff. The second baby has done fantastic! (The other two eggs never hatched).

 

Here's my current problem. Baby Angel is now six weeks old and that nasty old Jelly jumped her! He's been on top of her 3 times today - going at it like there's no tomorrow.

 

First off, how common or uncommon is it for the dad to go at the baby like that?

 

Second: I trust the baby isn't sexually mature enough yet for anything to come of that little bit of action?

 

Third: I removed the baby and put her in her own little cage. Peanutbutter & Jelly don't seem to care that she's out of there. (Forgot to mention - they have two more new eggs in the box now). I haven't seen the baby eat on her own. I put some moistened egg food in a cup for her, along with some regular seed and some water. Will she figure out how to eat (husk the seeds) on her own? Is she too young? (She's six weeks old) Should I be trying to hand feed her? (I have food left from the little one who didn't make it.)

 

Thanks so much everyone. I'm trying very hard to do the best thing for my little feathered blessings and your help is much coveted!

Hi there, I am a little confused, did you have a nest box in place? At some point a professional breeder will respond.

If you don't want birds to breed, don't put a nestbox in. Is the baby cracking seed yet? Put up some millet in its cage as this is easier for them to crack. :bluebudgie:

It is common for the dad to have a go at the baby. Nothing will happen. Normally the dad will feed the baby and teach her to crack seeds so she can eat on her own. It is usually not a good idea to seperate them until the baby has been eating on her own for 7-10 days or so. Double clutching is normal for budgies. If you cannot for some reason put her back in the cage with the parents (if she gets attacked for trying to get back in the nest box), I would start by offering her soft foods. Brown rice, cooked carrots, cooked peas, apples, soaked and/or sprouted seeds. If she does not know how to crack seeds on her own, you can sprinkle them on the warm mushy foods and she will eventually begin to experiment with them. Millet sprays are a nice idea too, as they are not as hard a seed as some that are in the budgie mixes, and she should learn quickly how to de-hull them. The moistened egg food is fine too.

 

Keep us posted, and let us know if things do not pick up soon.

 

Oh, and welcome!!!! We're glad you've joined our little feathered community.

Edited February 13, 200718 yr by Rainbow

Here's my current problem. Baby Angel is now six weeks old and that nasty old Jelly jumped her! He's been on top of her 3 times today - going at it like there's no tomorrow. First off, how common or uncommon is it for the dad to go at the baby like that?

 

As Rainbow said it's kinda normal for a dad to do this. Sometimes it's an easy way to tell gender, since it's more likely to happen to hens.

 

Second: I trust the baby isn't sexually mature enough yet for anything to come of that little bit of action?

No I wouldn't worry about that.

 

 

Third: I removed the baby and put her in her own little cage. Peanutbutter & Jelly don't seem to care that she's out of there. (Forgot to mention - they have two more new eggs in the box now). I haven't seen the baby eat on her own. I put some moistened egg food in a cup for her, along with some regular seed and some water. Will she figure out how to eat (husk the seeds) on her own? Is she too young? (She's six weeks old) Should I be trying to hand feed her? (I have food left from the little one who didn't make it.)

Six weeks is around the time they should have started to eat seed by their own. Try her alone for a while in a cage with all the sort of things Rainbow listed and watch her to see if she eats, if not you can pop her back with mum and dad so dad can feed her.

Edited February 13, 200718 yr by Nerwen

Thank you everyone for your responses. I'm feeling the love!

 

Angel is doing GREAT! As it turns out, she went right to the seed without a problem. I had made moistened egg food available to her and had even crushed some seed to expose the 'meat' but she didn't need my help at all.

 

Also - here's the exciting part - we BONDED last night!! She cuddled up in my hand and dosed off. When she woke up, she began to 'preen' my hand. She's the sweetest little thing! One difficulty however, the little bugger is just like her mother in one aspect - Houdini syndrome. She works those cage doors and is determined to get out. I've had to wire them shut so she won't escape. I would hate for her to fly out and get hurt.

 

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement - and for sharing your wisdom.

 

Blessings,

 

Karla

Glad to hear she moved into living along perfectly.

 

I know the feeling with the 'Houdini syndrome' i had a bird that use to lift the doors up.

welcome to the forum!

 

that's so cute, isn't it exciting when they get all cuddly with you! sounds like a real little angel

:angel1: