I have a pair of budgies that were breeding very well, and were both good parents until this last batch where they decided to try and eat the back of the babies heads. I am now hand rearing the babies and they are doing well.

Could anyone shed some light on why would the parents do this?

thankyou

Parents feather pluck for various reasons... Sometime it's the birds nature to pluck itself/it's young... Other times it's because they want to go back down and lay another clutch, but the previous clutches chicks are seen to be as "in the way" and are attacked to make room for the new members... Sometimes it's boredom... There are many different reason why they do it, so without delving into Your set up and such or past history of the birds there's no way to give you a probable answer

Budgerigars sometimes can't recognize there own young. A cock bird can see his son as an intruder and will kill him. Same with the hen and daughter.

 

I have what I call my BBBBBs. bruised and Battered Baby Budgie Boxes. I place these in the breeding cage just before the chicks start to come out of the nest box. If the parents attack, they can run to shelter in one of the boxes. While in the box, the parents still feed the chicks.

Edited February 9, 200817 yr by Daz
spelling

Parents feather pluck for various reasons... Sometime it's the birds nature to pluck itself/it's young... Other times it's because they want to go back down and lay another clutch, but the previous clutches chicks are seen to be as "in the way" and are attacked to make room for the new members... Sometimes it's boredom... There are many different reason why they do it, so without delving into Your set up and such or past history of the birds there's no way to give you a probable answer :sad:

 

 

Thanks for your reply, The parents weren't plucking their young feathers, but ended up really hurting them and ending up covered in blood. This has never happened before. The babies feathers are slowly growing back on the back of their heads now but i will keep your suggestion definately in mind for further use.

How old are the budgies you are breeding?

Is this their first time?

The budgerigar will attach at the back of the head. It will either put it's beak into the brain or scalp the other bird.

 

I have had the male scalp hie eldest son. It is not a pretty site.

The budgerigar will attach at the back of the head. It will either put it's beak into the brain or scalp the other bird. I have had the male scalp hie eldest son. It is not a pretty site.

Hi Daz, no it isn't apretty sight, the feathers are slowly but surely growing through the new skin. :budgiedance:

How old are the budgies you are breeding?Is this their first time?

The budgies are about 12 months old and have had 4 batches with no probs. :yellowhead:

4 batches! of chicks, is this in a row?? that may mean the hen is starting to get overworked raising young ones and lashed out at the chicks.