Posted October 10, 200816 yr Hello I did have 4 budgies until 4pm today. Mum and dad Then another younger pair which have hook up. As soon as mum budgie laid her 5 eggs the younger hen has join her in the nest box, she just sat next to them. Fast forward to this arvo, I was in the aviary and my youngest daughter open the door and the mum budgie flew out. I have rang a few vets and got heaps of different answers of what I need to do. The younger hen is now in the nest box and sitting on the babies, so I will wait and see if they survive the night. Do you think she will look after them? Or should I try to hand raise them. The DOB are 2 baby - 30th sep (10days old) 1 baby - 1 oct (9 days old) 1 baby - 3rd oct (7 days old) 1 egg didn't hatch Please give me some pointers Thanks Trudie Edited October 17, 200816 yr by Neat
October 10, 200816 yr keep a close eye on the foreign hen, she may attack them so she can take over the nest. If you see any things going wrong you will need to hand rear them or foster them to someone near by you. Better off getting them out of there now before the other hen turns on them though. Another option is taking the other hen out and seeing if the bird who flew ways partner will finish raising them.
October 10, 200816 yr I am sorry to hear of your troubles The fact that a second bird is in the nest does not mean it will take over the role of carer. It would be EXTREMELY RARE for that to happen. With the Mum gone, the second hen could well decide to use the nest for herself and that usually means cleaning it out of anything in it...eggs chicks etc. With nighttime coming you need to know if the chicks have been fed and what that other bird is doing whilst in the nestbox. The chicks are at an age where they need nightime warmth from their Mum. Are you experienced in handrearing at all. Chicks this young if you are inexperienced would be a hard job for you. Do you know anyone with chicks in a nest the same age that you can foster these ones to ? Edited October 10, 200816 yr by Neat
October 10, 200816 yr Author Thanks for you help Kaz - I have never hand raised a bird before, just day old kittens. Should I go out to the aviary now and see if shes keeping them warm? If not bring them inside. I do have a heat mat I can use. Their crops were full. Edited October 10, 200816 yr by Neat spelling
October 10, 200816 yr Author No Dad just stays outside, but he will jump on top of the nest box and look in. He did use to feed the mum budgie. Edited October 10, 200816 yr by Neat
October 10, 200816 yr If you were to remove the other budgies and just leave Dad in there would he then feed the babies ? Want to try ?
October 10, 200816 yr Author hello I have gone out and the hen was sitting on a couple while the other 2 were going cold, So I have brought them in. I have them wrapped in my shirt sitting on my belly getting warm. I'm just waiting for the heat mat to heat up so I can put them in the box above it. The funny thing they all gone quiet and settled down to sleep. I will go see the vet tomorrow morning. Edited October 10, 200816 yr by Neat spelling
October 10, 200816 yr If you are going to see the vet, you will need to ask for lessons in crop feeding. You will also need to be very SURE you are seeing an avian vet ( bird vet ) and not a normal pet vet.
October 10, 200816 yr Author Kaz - The vet said he will show me. His the bird vet for Newcastle nsw. once again thank you
October 10, 200816 yr Oh mate... I'm so sorry for your situation. I hope all goes well. As the others have said, please keep us updated on them... Good Luck... As a side note, I'd suggest putting a safety door on your aviary, or using a net to walk into and then into the aviary. A few years ago, one of my young birds flew out of the aviary. The next day I installed a safety door and haven't lost one since. Saves lots of heart ache. Good luck once again. Sending you lots of good luck and healthy bird wishes
October 10, 200816 yr Hi Trudie. Sorry to hear of your happenings today .. .. Kids hey? My son likes to open the aviary and cage doors so i have a double latch up the top just in case... I wish you all the success with the up bringing ... Crop feeding is a FANTASTIC Skill to both Learn and Know ....
October 11, 200816 yr Good luck with your babies. Hand raising four babies will take LOTS of patience and time!! I hope everything works out for you *crossed fingers*
October 11, 200816 yr I read so often about budgies escaping from aviaries or cages, it terrifies me. I would die if I lost Charley. So I keep it in mind all the time. I make sure the room is "bird safe" whenever I leave now, I stop, look around and try to imagine if he was to escape from his cage into the room is there any harm he can come to. I ensure doors are shut (to bathrooms), windows closed etc. Then when I come home I make a point of opening the door carefully and checking immediately if he's in his cage. So sorry to read about the mum flying off, so sad for you. I will keep checking the forum to hear how your babies are going!! And hopefully will see some photos of them soon. Good luck with the babies, we're all thinking of you! Edited October 11, 200816 yr by thk
October 11, 200816 yr Author Hi guys I have some good news the babies are going well with me hand feeding them. I went to the vet and they gave me good advice. The lady who help me breeds budgies. I also gave her my runt budgie and she is going to foster it to one of her mums who lost one of her babies. I have mastered the feeding, it's a bit different to new born kittens. lol We will post some picture's up tomorrow, better go need to have a shower and give the babies their last feed for the day. Thanks again -Trudie Edited October 17, 200816 yr by Neat typo
October 11, 200816 yr :ohmygod: I'm so happy for you!!! I'd love to see some pictures when you can. Keep up the awesome work!
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