I have seen a post or 2 on this subject but can't seem to find them doing a search. When should I move my fledglings to a nursery cage? My 2 oldest babies are eating seed, drinking water and perching on their own. Heck they can even fly. Is it time to move them to the nursery cage I have set up?

Edited July 3, 200717 yr by KeetCrazy

From Kaz's article in the BBC FAQ section

 

11. Chicks at Point of Fledging

Often a chick may fledge ( leave the nest ) before its fully feathered. I often pop these unfeathered ones back into the nest as it is most often a chick leaning out of the nesting box hole to be fed that makes this happen too soon. Only when a chick is fully feathered do I leave it outside the nest. My chicks mostly fledge at around 4-5 weeks of age. The chick should be safe on the floor area of the breeder cage where Dad budgie will feed it. I also have a tray of seed down there for it to try, and some egg and biscuit mix ( wet or dry ). Daily, the parents have a tray of fine sliced greens and grated carrot sprinkled with seed and the babies watch Mum and Dad eat from that and usually try it themselves as well. A small water container is accessible for the chicks, but not the type they can drown in as chicks often drown in fairly shallow water dishes or containers they can't get out of.

 

Keep a close eye on fledged chicks. Make sure they are eating and or being fed by either parent. You may need to put a shelter down for them to hide in. I find a little plastic hutch designed for mice or hamsters to be ideal ( looks like a little plastic igloo ). But, try and check the chicks in the hidey places as they can hide away and forget to eat. I usually remove the igloo for the daytime and return it for the night. Unless the chick needs the shelter due to a parents aggressiveness towards them.

 

If your chicks are fledging into a colony aviary you will need to watch them very closely for any signs of aggression towards them from other budgies or other birds. Their life is a little more precarious in these situations. I have both colony bred and breeder cage bred chicks in the past. The chicks born into an aviary with many other birds have a lot to be wary of. Other males can dominate and attack chicks. Other hens can kill chicks. Even chicks that fledge into a breeder cage can face attack from its own parents. A chick that appears too "needy" or urgently seeking food or attention noisily and or returning to the nest where parents are trying for another round.....these chicks have been knoiwn to be killed on some occasions by an exasperated parent. Not often thank goodness but be aware of the possibility.

 

If you have a mouse problem in the aviary the chicks can get seriously ill or die from salmonella poisoning from contaminated seed or food dishes on the aviary floor. Chicks have been known to be attacked and eaten by rats and terrorised by mice. Other birds such as quails can sometimes attack a newly fledged chick.

 

 

Care of Babies in the Nest BBC FAQ by Kaz

Thank you Elle. I have the breeding cage set up as stated above. babies are doing very well and the parents are not showing any aggression...........thankfully. I was looking for the time frame for the next step. When are they ready to be separated from their parents and moved alone to the nursery cage?

You can move your chicks to a nursery cage once they are fully eating alone and not reliant on the parents. Age for that varies from 5-6 weeks on. Some chicks take a backward step and actually get depressed and stop eating, so watch out for that. Supply good food and vegies, plenty of it...especially food dishes at floor level, water drinkers at floor level also, and easy for them to find.

If you think they are ready, move them out, but watch for signs of trouble ( not eating ) .

Edited July 4, 200717 yr by **KAZ**

I see Kaz on I will let her answer I would say the answer is yes

Thanks a bunch Karen. Based on watching them I thought they were ready, but wanted to be sure. I will keep a close eye on them and make sure they are adjusting well to the nursery cage. :-)

Congrats Keetcrazy you are a winner :budgiedance: Just kidding I added your question and Kaz's answer to the FAQ section as I didn't see this exact q&a When should I move my fledglings to a nursery cage?

Oh I am a celebrity!!!!..........(Laughing out loud) or is it that I am infamous??? *grin*