A few weeks ago a breeder I bought some show budgies from advised me to take the hen out of the breeding cage once the chicks are feathered. I was a bit shocked by what he said as I had never done this before, I normally let both parents rear the chicks until they are ready to fledge. He said he does this with all his hens, and lets the cock bird finish rearing the chicks. I asked why he does it and he told me its so the hens dont get the chance to become aggressive towards their young and attack them because of wanting to start laying again. Well I thought I would try it with my latest clutch, I removed the hen,(which was always cranky anyway) and kept a real good eye on the dad to make sure he fed the chicks. Well I give him 10 out of 10!! He kept their little tummies very full at all times and was very attentive towards them! What do other breeders recommend? Is there any harm to Mum, Dad or chicks doing this??

It all depends on the birds... I only remove where necessary...

I guess this would be a good idea to get the most amount of eggs out of a hen aswell? It does sound like a good idea because i always wonder if one day then hen will turn on them but honestly i think i would be upset if i pulled them apart i see the bond my pairs have together and if i was to seperate them i would feel guilty? But as you said yours was a b***h anyway so no love lost there Have you had the problem with the hen turning before? Let us know how it turns out for you.

I know a show breeder who does this also. Seems to be a common practice with some show breeders.

However I also have found the hens I have from this breeder only seem interested in keeping the chicks fed and going until the 3 week old stage maximum. I believe this to be due to conditioning...a habit they have learnt that they are only responsible to parent until that stage and no more. This proves to me to be an issue. An assumption is made that the hen will turn against her chicks in a feral way to lay the second round whether she would or wouldn't. The intervention and subsequent situation where the father completes the raising of the chicks....seems to me to be altering the natural way of the budgies parenting role. It seems to change behaviour. The hen learns her role in the raising of her chicks to be a part time thing and not fully raised to fledging stage. It is hens, I am seeing that have been conditioned in this way, that do attack chicks if the chicks are still around after 3 weeks of age.

I am not sure I agree with the "retraining" of the hens. I am seeing the results.

Although it speaks well of the cocks who finish the raising of the chicks, the hens are learning they dont have to finish the job and are stopping feeding at a crucial stage.

 

Yes, I tend to agree with you Kaz. I think in future I will leave the hen and let them do what comes naturally.(Unless of course they become agressive) Thanks!! I look forward to more pics of your new aviary!!!!

I dont remove the Hen howver when the chicks have left the nest box I remove it and let both parents rear the chicks.