My budgie, Storm, has finished her first clutch, (of one baby) and now wants to begin a second. She has laid one egg already (off of the perch during the night, so it is dead) and looks like she is going to lay another soon. The problem is, her baby is 31 days old, and has been sitting just outside of the nestbox almost all day for the last two days, but hasn't fledged yet. Should I take the baby out now, (it has been eating some seed) and watch to see if she eats, and perhaps put her with some other budgies that are young, so if she doesn't eat they may feed her..(if not, put her back or handfeed her?) so that Storm can have a second clutch..

Or do I leave the baby, and watch to make sure that Storm isn't attacking the baby to try to drive it away so she can lay another clutch, and let it fledge when ready?

Thanks.

Edited November 14, 200816 yr by Jen144

My budgie, Storm, has finished her first clutch, (of one baby) and now wants to begin a second. She has laid one egg already (off of the perch during the night, so it is dead) and looks like she is going to lay another soon. The problem is, her baby is 31 days old, and has been sitting just outside of the nestbox almost all day for the last two days, but hasn't fledged yet. Should I take the baby out now, (it has been eating some seed) and watch to see if she eats, and perhaps put her with some other budgies that are young, so if she doesn't eat they may feed her..(if not, put her back or handfeed her?) so that Storm can have a second clutch..

Or do I leave the baby, and watch to make sure that Storm isn't attacking the baby to try to drive it away so she can lay another clutch, and let it fledge when ready?

Thanks.

Most babies fledge at 4-6 weeks so she is almost ready. You could try putting a container in the bottom of the breeder cage for her and then let Mum go ahead. Like this Igloo

My budgie, Storm, has finished her first clutch, (of one baby) and now wants to begin a second. She has laid one egg already (off of the perch during the night, so it is dead) and looks like she is going to lay another soon. The problem is, her baby is 31 days old, and has been sitting just outside of the nestbox almost all day for the last two days, but hasn't fledged yet. Should I take the baby out now, (it has been eating some seed) and watch to see if she eats, and perhaps put her with some other budgies that are young, so if she doesn't eat they may feed her..(if not, put her back or handfeed her?) so that Storm can have a second clutch..

Or do I leave the baby, and watch to make sure that Storm isn't attacking the baby to try to drive it away so she can lay another clutch, and let it fledge when ready?

Thanks.

Most babies fledge at 4-6 weeks so she is almost ready. You could try putting a container in the bottom of the breeder cage for her and then let Mum go ahead. Like this Igloo

 

okay thanks. The reasons I was asking was that the mum might attack her baby, but also that the baby (who sleeps in the nest at night) would probably addle the new eggs. Especially since she practices flying in there (by flapping her wings madly sometimes)

okay thanks. The reasons I was asking was that the mum might attack her baby, but also that the baby (who sleeps in the nest at night) would probably addle the new eggs. Especially since she practices flying in there (by flapping her wings madly sometimes)

Do an icecream tub like the one shown. I use it lid off during the day ( base of tub upwards ) so the dads can see them and feed them and they can get in and out to try and feed themselves. At night it is turned over with the lid on it and the lid becomes the base. Wood shavings inside for warmth........and the icecream tubs will squeeze through the average cage door diagonally.

okay thanks. The reasons I was asking was that the mum might attack her baby, but also that the baby (who sleeps in the nest at night) would probably addle the new eggs. Especially since she practices flying in there (by flapping her wings madly sometimes)

Do an icecream tub like the one shown. I use it lid off during the day ( base of tub upwards ) so the dads can see them and feed them and they can get in and out to try and feed themselves. At night it is turned over with the lid on it and the lid becomes the base. Wood shavings inside for warmth........and the icecream tubs will squeeze through the average cage door diagonally.

 

 

Do you mean I should take the baby out and put it in the 'igloo'..so that it can sleep there at night and during the day dad can feed it, so the mum can lay her second lot?

Yes Mum is less likely to attack the baby this way as it won't be in 'her' nestbox

I'd do that too... IF you want a second clutch. If you don't, I'd remove Mum to a cage to let her rest and let Dad finish raising her... Totally your choice. If she's up to another one and if YOU want her to have another one.

Yes Mum is less likely to attack the baby this way as it won't be in 'her' nestbox

 

 

okay. I happen to have this pair (alone, at the moment) breeding the aviary. Would this be a problem..having the baby on the ground in the aviary? There are no other birds in it though.

And yes, I do want her to raise a second clutch..they are both fine enough to, especially since the first lot was only one baby.

Edited November 14, 200816 yr by Jen144

You put the igloo in the bottom of the current breeding cage with her Mum and Dad... the baby should stay in there at let Mum go another round

You put the igloo in the bottom of the current breeding cage with her Mum and Dad... the baby should stay in there at let Mum go another round

 

 

So the fact that I have them breeding in the aviary isn't a problem? Ie..because it's not a breeding cage the baby is further away from the dad so he might not notice her?

Edited November 14, 200816 yr by Jen144

If its in an aviary...put a second nest box or a tub next door to the one Mum has chosen, leave it open and put baby in there............assuming its on a shelf ?

If its in an aviary...put a second nest box or a tub next door to the one Mum has chosen, leave it open and put baby in there............assuming its on a shelf ?

 

Okay so put a second nestbox next to the mum's, and put the baby in there? What about when the baby goes in or out..wouldn't it go in the mum's one, or would she frighten her away if she has her next clutch there?

If its in an aviary...put a second nest box or a tub next door to the one Mum has chosen, leave it open and put baby in there............assuming its on a shelf ?

 

Okay so put a second nestbox next to the mum's, and put the baby in there? What about when the baby goes in or out..wouldn't it go in the mum's one, or would she frighten her away if she has her next clutch there?

Put a foot or two distance between if you can then. Best the baby doesnt try to get back in as its seen as an intruder and may well be attacked.

The baby has been sitting on a perch, not even close to the nestbox..but the mum keeps flying over to her..and the baby keeps begging for food from mum..but Storm keeps pecking her and chasing her around, not feeding her..and her dad seems curious and just watches the both of them. What should I do, neither are feeding her at the moment and she's just hiding because Storm is following her around and pecking at her.

I've spread some seed on the ground, and the baby's been eating that, plus some grass (from sprouted seeds on the aviary floor)

Edited November 14, 200816 yr by Jen144

Dont expect the Mum to feed her because at this stage she wont want to. Its up to the Dad to care for the baby or baby learns to eat. If the Dad is preoccupied with mating the hen then the baby has to eat by itself. Watch closely in case you need to step in and feed the baby.

Dont expect the Mum to feed her because at this stage she wont want to. Its up to the Dad to care for the baby or baby learns to eat. If the Dad is preoccupied with mating the hen then the baby has to eat by itself. Watch closely in case you need to step in and feed the baby.

 

 

Okay. It was at about this stage that I removed Storm's last clutch. But then Storm was a single mum..and there were two, so the oldest fed the youngest. The baby is cracking seed, and the mum is happy as long as the baby stays on the ground and off 'her' perches.

Should I take the baby out and put her in with two other birds that are in their own smaller aviary, so maybe they can feed her? They are only about 4 months old, both of them..

Edited November 14, 200816 yr by Jen144

Dont expect the Mum to feed her because at this stage she wont want to. Its up to the Dad to care for the baby or baby learns to eat. If the Dad is preoccupied with mating the hen then the baby has to eat by itself. Watch closely in case you need to step in and feed the baby.

 

 

Okay. It was at about this stage that I removed Storm's last clutch. But then Storm was a single mum..and there were two, so the oldest fed the youngest. The baby is cracking seed, and the mum is happy as long as the baby stays on the ground and off 'her' perches.

Should I take the baby out and put her in with two other birds that are in their own smaller aviary, so maybe they can feed her? They are only about 4 months old, both of them..

Good idea...watch to be sure she eats....but sounds like the best way to go

Dont expect the Mum to feed her because at this stage she wont want to. Its up to the Dad to care for the baby or baby learns to eat. If the Dad is preoccupied with mating the hen then the baby has to eat by itself. Watch closely in case you need to step in and feed the baby.

 

 

Okay. It was at about this stage that I removed Storm's last clutch. But then Storm was a single mum..and there were two, so the oldest fed the youngest. The baby is cracking seed, and the mum is happy as long as the baby stays on the ground and off 'her' perches.

Should I take the baby out and put her in with two other birds that are in their own smaller aviary, so maybe they can feed her? They are only about 4 months old, both of them..

Good idea...watch to be sure she eats....but sounds like the best way to go

 

Okay, will do. I was hoping they may feed her if she begs, (seeing as they won't be as hostile to her as her mum is) or she even might watch them eating and follow their example. I've put her there now..and when I was holding her, she was soo skinny! (I could feel the bone on her chest very easily..) I suspect her mother hasn't been feeding her very much at all recently because she wants another clutch I suppose..Should I just watch and make sure she's eating/being fed, and if she isn't give her some handraising forumula, as she's so thin?

If she is that thin she needs feeding....perhaps you should keep her inside by you for awhile and feed her till she is stronger before putting her in with the others.

I agree with Kaz

I agree with Kaz too.

 

I have a male budgie who is good at feeding lonely babies. perhaps chose a quiet friendly male to bring inside and see if he will help to feed the baby

Well, problem is, I don't have an quiet friendly males to put in with her..The only one slightly interested in feeding her is her brother from another clutch, but he mostly flirts with her..I gave her a bit of a feed but she mainly refused it..and I put her in a cage inside, with seed on the floor of the cage for her. She hasn't eaten any of that yet, but she is going to sleep at the moment..so I'll just watch her..is that all I can do?

Edited November 14, 200816 yr by Jen144

If she is really thin as you say she may need crop feeding. You may have to take her to a breeder who can do this for you.

If she is really thin as you say she may need crop feeding. You may have to take her to a breeder who can do this for you.

 

Is there any other way to get her to eat? She's eaten a bit of seeds, plus the bit of handraising formula I managed to feed her..other than that, she hasn't eaten at all..mostly just preening and sleeping..Maybe I'm just being paranoid about it, but should she have eaten by now? (been like 3 hours since I took her out of the aviary)

If she is thin as you said she is and her keel bone is sharp..........she needs to be fed properly and not just a tiny bit like she has been. Crop feeding three times a day at least until she learns to eat for herself.