HI,

Its me again... (Laughing out loud). I have a question. I just caught the male trying to mate with the hen. As some of you know I have 3 babies in the nest. She seemed really annoyed with him. Just a bit worried as I dont know what I should do if anything.... Will she want to mate agian as the box is still there? I know they need atleast a few months break so I dont want to her have any more. I dont feel she will look after them on her own, he is a good dad so I dont want to take him out but I will if I have to.

Any advise... Is it normal? (typical male wants a bit) Will he try to hurt the babies so the box is empty again?

It is quite common for a male to want to mate before the chicks have fledged.

How old are the chicks??

The oldest is 26 days and then 24 days and the third not to sure but he is just over half the size of the other two ( I had five eggs and I think he may be the 5th or 4th egg) (two didnt hatch)

three things you can do....

 

1) Provided the male is just trying to mate and not being aggressive to the hen or the young, Just leave them and remove any new eggs that are laid and then remove the box when the chicks have fledged.

 

2) Because he is a good dad you can remove the hen so she can have a rest and let the male finish raising the young.

 

3) Remove the male and let the female finish the raising.

 

Because the chicks are not really young all three choices could work. it mostly depends on the health and temperament of the birds and what you think they will be able to cope best with

Thanks ill keep my eye on them and see how it goes, dont think he is being to aggresive. They both seem to equally look after chicks, would the other reliase one is gone and step up to the extra work?

Thanks ill keep my eye on them and see how it goes, dont think he is being to aggresive. They both seem to equally look after chicks, would the other reliase one is gone and step up to the extra work?

 

I had the same issue last year where the male was trying to get the hen to lay a 3rd round of eggs. She was tired as they are only meant to have 2 clutches in a row. He was a very good dad so i removed the hen to let her rest and the male finished raising their 5 chicks

 

Even though they were a few meters apart (in seperate aviaries), they would still talk to each other and they maintained their bond. after her rest I put them back together - they were like long lost lovers - kissing, feeding and preening - it was very sweet to watch

 

budgies are very good parents and do almost anything to ensure the survival of their young :fear

Edited March 16, 200817 yr by **Liv**

Thanks Liv - I feel better if I make the choice to remove one of them.