hi , ive been reading a couple of threads about single mums raising chicks and was wondering besides millet in the nest box what else can i do to help betty raise her 2 chicks alone ? i have put fresh water right next to the nest box but not sure if there is anything else i need to do . there are 2 eggs still to hatch in the nest box , one due today the next on saturday but now should i be hoping they wont hatch ? the chicks are 4 and 9 days old and looks like mum has fed them this morning already .

She will need lots of fresh soft food.

Soaked seed, veggies grated finely, cooked mashed egg, egg and biscuit mix etc. She needs it to be soft and super easy for her to eat. Also make sure the food is super fresh - after about 2 hours the fresh food is no good and you dont want to risk her getting sick, so best to give it first thing in the morning for 2 hours, and then again at about 3:30pm.

thanks liv thats very helpful . should i be putting the fresh food into the nest box or just outside ? as she doesnt come out now unless i open up to inspect the eggs and chicks . is it best to mix the egg biscuit mix with the soaked seed ?

Agree with LIV .. Also Keep all the Wet food outside the nest box ... You can put in Celery leaves and Millet along with seeds in the nest box .... Placement of the Soft food should be close to the nest box ...

 

I am sorry for your loss ......

Edited October 16, 200816 yr by Neat

thanks neat , i will do as you and liv have advised

Edited October 16, 200816 yr by Neat

betty is getting stuck into the soaked seeds and both chicks have full crops so fingers crossed things will keep going like this . though she seems to be a bit stressed that george is gone. i added millet and soft wild oats to the nest box also and she seems to be eating those too

betty is getting stuck into the soaked seeds and both chicks have full crops so fingers crossed things will keep going like this . though she seems to be a bit stressed that george is gone. i added millet and soft wild oats to the nest box also and she seems to be eating those too

Great news

Fantastic ... Good pick on those wild oats ..... !!!!

Great news! :hap: I hope she continues her progress as a single Mum. (God knows it's a hard job... regardless of who or what you are )

time for an update of the situation . the 3rd egg has hatched afew days ago now so there are 3 happy little chicks and betty seems to be coping pretty well with the soft foods :sadsorry: . so here are some pics of them today

the oldest one looks to be dom pied as its getting the patch on the back of the head , they seem to stack up every time open the box with the smallest being protected by the middle one ,then the biggest covering both smaller ones

.... Awwwwww