Hi, I am new to forum and this is my first post and was wondering if someone can help me. I have only just recently purchased an aviary with boxes. There are 9 budgies in there and 2 chicks about 3 weeks old. Today in strong winds while I was out the roof of the aviary moved and 3 budgies are gone including the mother. I don't know what to do now with the chicks. Is the dad or one of the other birds likely to look after them, ie: feed them and keep them warm or should I try and take over. None of the other hens have eggs. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

If this wasnt an aviary situation there would be very few problems. But since you have them all breeding in the aviary, it makes things a little difficult for you. You need to know who the father of the chicks is and watch to see he is in fact feeding them. You will have to check often and you will also have to watch that no other birds go into that nest. Others dont usually go into a nest and feed babies unless they are the parents. But other birds will go in and "clear out" a nest thats unprotected by killing babies...just because they want the nest for themselves.

If you can be sure of the father of the babies, I would remove the nestbox and the Dad and put them all in a largish cage together and hope he feeds the babies. You could put them nest in or you could put them in a container on the floor of the cage. At least if you do it this way you can watch out for them being fed. At 3 weeks of age they would be out of the nest in a week or two in most cases. If you cant organise this tonight, put some millet sprays and some seed in the nestbox, in case the chicks can eat some of it. An unfed chick can go downhill very rapidly but that, too, depends on how advanced they are and if you have their ages right. Keeping warm at 3 weeks should not be an issue as they should be feathered and parents usually arent staying in the nestbox with them at that age anyway. Any more help you need....please just ask. Be happy to help.

Edited October 16, 200717 yr by KAZ

If this wasnt an aviary situation there would be very few problems. But since you have them all breeding in the aviary, it makes things a little difficult for you. You need to know who the father of the chicks is and watch to see he is in fact feeding them. You will have to check often and you will also have to watch that no other birds go into that nest. Others dont usually go into a nest and feed babies unless they are the parents. But other birds will go in and "clear out" a nest thats unprotected by killing babies...just because they want the nest for themselves.

If you can be sure of the father of the babies, I would remove the nestbox and the Dad and put them all in a largish cage together and hope he feeds the babies. You could put them nest in or you could put them in a container on the floor of the cage. At least if you do it this way you can watch out for them being fed. At 3 weeks of age they would be out of the nest in a week or two in most cases. If you cant organise this tonight, put some millet sprays and some seed in the nestbox, in case the chicks can eat some of it. An unfed chick can go downhill very rapidly but that, too, depends on how advanced they are and if you have their ages right. Keeping warm at 3 weeks should not be an issue as they should be feathered and parents usually arent staying in the nestbox with them at that age anyway. Any more help you need....please just ask. Be happy to help.

 

Thanks for the reply Kaz.

I have taken the nest out and transferred to another cage. However I am not 100% sure which is the dad so I have taken out 2 males (they look identical, hard to tell apart) and put them both in the cage. The mother wasnt in the nest permanently lately just going in and out to feed them. They have their pin feathers and appear quite strong. I have noticed the dad feeding them so I will keep an eye on them. If he doesnt seem to be feeding them how should do this? ie: what to feed, how often etc.

Edited October 16, 200717 yr by clair1975

Pin feathers would indicate a younger bird than 3 weeks. If you have figured out the Dad then remove the other male you have in with them. Watch to be sure they are being fed and you wont have a problem with having to feed them yourself. At 3 weeks ( if the age is right ) you can feed them a sloppy mix of budgie starter off a bent spoon I would say. Can you post some pictures of the babies so we can be sure of their ages ?

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd200/c...75/PA160006.jpg

 

 

 

Image has been changed to a link as it exceeds the forum guidelines maximum size of 450 x 450 pixels. Feathers.

Edited October 16, 200717 yr by Feathers

Have they got plenty of food in their crop ?

Yes their crops are quite full.

Yes their crops are quite full.

All sounds good then. Just watch them and their dad and look for all signs of good feeding. I have a lone parent

( a Dad )feeding two chicks right now and he is doing a very good job of raising his "children" without his hen

i have seen the dad feeding them this morning, he is in an out of the feeding box all the time. All seems to be going well. thanks for all your help.

That’s good new, some Dad’s are real good feeders even without the Mum some not so good. If at any stage he seems to ease off, I would suggest putting the bubs out of the nest on the floor of the cage, they learn quite quick to start nibbling.

okay will do. i will keep you updated of there progress. thanks once again. you have been a great help!

Keep a millet spray in the nestbox as well. It encourages chicks to forage for food and gives dad a reason to be in there and feeding them as well.

well i have done everything you have advised me to do Kaz. I have taken the day off work today to make sure everything is okay. Im happy the dad is doing his job keeping them well feed and has been all day. Gives me peice of mind that i can leave them for the day and not have to worry too much.

well i have done everything you have advised me to do Kaz. I have taken the day off work today to make sure everything is okay. Im happy the dad is doing his job keeping them well feed and has been all day. Gives me peice of mind that i can leave them for the day and not have to worry too much.

Sounds like the Dad is doing all thats expected of him. Better give him some treats and make him feel "special"

hi. Kaz & Norm. The babys Budgies are doing really well. Today i have put them on the bottom of the cage , they are running about like little chickens. Just a question though.Will the dad still feed them when there out of there usual breeding box. How long should i leave them out of the breeding box! I thought it would be nice if the could get out and about and exercise, out of there breeding box enviroment.

Hi Clair,

 

It sounds like they are going really well. Good job. Dad will feed them on the floor.

 

 

Feathers

Ive been watching the dad feed his baby's, which is nice to see! The little ones love it out of their breeding box, they are very inquisitive. I put some millit spray down with other seed and they are nibbling at it! these are our first ever hatched Baby Buidgie and it's very exiting to see them progress.

Brilliant news Clair :yellowhead: I am happy its working out for you

Hi Guys

 

well the babys are doing really well, this morning they were out on the perches for the first time. They are still in a separate cage with their dad, he is still feeding them. But i was wondering when i can put them in the aviary with all the other budgies.

Hi Guys

 

well the babys are doing really well, this morning they were out on the perches for the first time. They are still in a separate cage with their dad, he is still feeding them. But i was wondering when i can put them in the aviary with all the other budgies.

Generally you have to wait for awhile and be very very sure the babies are fully feeding themselves before they go into the aviary. When you see that they are eating seed on their own for at least a week, you can remove Dad, give them maybe another week to be sure they are eating well, and then they could go into the aviary.