Hello - I am new to the site, but have been using the info regularly over the past couple of months as our two budgies (Tweety and Bluebell), once rehoused in an aviary, have produced 5 gorgeous babies that have now all fledged. Thank you to "Kaz", whose breeding advice has been invaluable, especially with feet cleaning of the babies!

 

The last two fledged yesterday to much excitement from us all - BUT we had a very sad event this morning as the dad, Tweety, managed to fly out as our daughter went into the aviary. We have been posting flyers this morning around the neighbourhood, but I don't hold out much hope due to seeing him being pursued by a wattle eater almost immediately.

 

So, questions... 1. what do we do with the mum? ie. how do we reduce her loss? Do we get her another companion? She is already trying to lay again (one egg already) as they mated this week. We intend (and will do this) remove the nesting box today now all first clutch have left to hopefully stop her as she can't do this alone. We didn't want to put her through another lot of babies anyway. Certainly not now.

 

2. We have definite homes for three of the babies who have been fledged for over a week now. The remaining two - are they okay to remain with the mum long term? We will keep an eye on them as they obviously haven't got their father teaching them to feed now. They seem to be eating okay on their own though and feeding each other. Fingers crossed.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Edited October 4, 200816 yr by Neat
typo

You can leave as many of the babies in with her as you want, of course don't put the nest box back in though

 

Sorry about the loss of your male. In order to stop it happening again get a piece of netting and hang it over the door, that way you can put the netting over you before opening the door and it will reduce the chances of another one getting out.

You can leave as many of the babies in with her as you want, of course don't put the nest box back in though

 

Sorry about the loss of your male. In order to stop it happening again get a piece of netting and hang it over the door, that way you can put the netting over you before opening the door and it will reduce the chances of another one getting out.

 

Thanks for that advice - will get netting up today!

Hello and welcome. So sorry your male flew away

Keep a close eye out as many birds have come back even as long as 5 days after escaping.

 

The mum should be fine on her own with the babies - just keep lots of food on the ground for them to learn to eat.

 

I hope all goes well. I'd love to see photos if you can post any

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry it is on sad terms. I'm sorry for your loss. Try having a cage out side with seed in it, perhaps near the aviary... he may come back. I have an aviary and have always kept my young with their parents. I haven't had any problems. If yours have all fledged they should be okay, just keep an eye on them... but they should learn from their mother how to do things... Good luck and please keep us updated on them. maesie xo

Hi &

 

I am sorry to hear that your first post was a sad one ... Liv is right. I lost a hen a little while back but late that night she came back and i grabbed the net ... Lucky ....

 

I wouldn't go out and get another male just yet ... Let her finish raising the chicks, and then give her plenty of rest -

If you are looking at getting another bird remember to Quarantine for a minimum for 30 days

Welcome, you have been given good advice I would continue to keep an eye out he may just come back to the noise of his family. As Neat said if you do get another bird AFTER she has raised her babies make sure the do a 30 day quarantine on the incoming bird .

Thankyou to everyone for advice and kind words. Nesting box removed, netting up. All chicks and mum seem to be doing fine for now. We are the ones that are probably more distressed!