Hello everyone i am jack and ben's mum.

 

Our breeding pairs have now been put out because as Jon posted the first one abandoned her chick and we had to foster it with the others. Now the other pair have had to be put out cause the hen had lost interest in the babies and only wanted to sit in the nest box. The cock had started to attack the foster chick i think because it was not as well fledeged as the other two being 6 days younger than the yougest chick from that clutch.

 

I tried just the mum then just the dad he attacked the baby again and now the birds have no mum or day to look after them. The eldest is 5 weeks old the second is 4weeks and 54 days old and the yougest is only 28 days old I have been feeding them with a crop needle since Thursday night and would like any other tips and advice to help me keep them alive and healthy.

 

Please reply

Angela Jon's Mum

Thanks

Hello everyone i am jack and ben's mum. 

 

Our breeding pairs have now been put out because as Jon posted the first one abandoned her chick and we had to foster it with the others.  Now the other pair have had to be put out cause the hen had lost interest in the babies and only wanted to sit in the nest box. The cock had started to attack the foster chick i think because it was not as well fledeged as the other two being 6 days younger than the yougest chick from that clutch.

 

I tried just the mum then just the dad he attacked the baby again and now the birds have no mum or day to look after them.    The eldest is 5 weeks old the second is 4weeks and 54 days old and the yougest is only 28 days old I have been feeding them with a crop needle since Thursday night and would like any other tips and advice to help me keep them alive and healthy.

 

Please reply

Angela Jon's Mum

Thanks

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You have a tough job. I hope this helps.

 

Hand Feeding

On occasion, you may find yourself with a chick that has not been weaned and without a parent or more matured offspring that will feed it. It is too late to foster as once a chick has feathered it will be perceived as an intruder and attacked if placed in another breeding cage. This is true even if there are other same age youngsters in that cage. The remaining option is hand feeding until it is able to feed itself.

Hand feeding Budgerigar chicks is not a difficult process. Commercial formulas are readily available in most pet shops and any that work for Cockatiels will work for Budgerigars. Mix a level teaspoon full for an individual chick according to the instructions. Using a syringe with a one inch long soft rubber/plastic tube attached to the end draw up the mixed formula. Take the chick in your left hand with its back in the palm, thumb and forefinger on each cheek, and remaining three fingers across its chest and abdomen with your little finger just above the legs. As you are looking at the bird, the tubing is passed over the tongue and down the left side of the oesophagus into the crop. You will feel the tube as it touches the bottom of the crop. Eject the formula and remove the tube.

Get someone to show you. Find a breeder (doesn't have to be a budgie breeder really, just someone who has experience handfeeding small birds) or pet store that knows how to handfeed and have them show you so that you can be more confident doing it. They can also answer your questions in person. Maybe your vet would even know?

They should be learning to eat seed by now. Try offering soaked seeds, soft veggies, pellets softened with fruit juice or water, or millet as often as possible. You should not have to feed them formula very often anymore. Keep us posted.

Just an update the two older budgies are now feeding themselves leaving the youngest one being fed by me. picture to follow soon.

Thats great news. Hope all goes well the little ones

Cindy

Well i did it i now have three fully fledged budgies flying and healthy ready to go into the aviery next week. The youngest one is the best show bird i have he is grey green with a yellow face. Big head Black beak and the markings on his back are very clear. Thanks for all the support peeps

Angela

thats great its so good that they did well, but black beak?!? i've never seeen that before!, do you have a picture?

Most baby budgies have black beaks. :dbb1: It changes at around 5 or 6 weeks.

Most baby budgies have black beaks. :dbb1: It changes at around 5 or 6 weeks.

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Agree on the black beak--shows a budgie is still very young.

Hi Bea--- I'm back--(Laughing out loud), have finished sulking & have decided next time my budgies decide to breed THEY CAN DAM WELL RAISE THEIR OWN KIDS.

 

Actually got another shock 2 days ago, found the Mum of both my chicks ( sniif with little budgie :angel1: ) was also dead. It was so sad-- Her mate was sitting next to her, I think with her it may have been the cold altho none of the others are affected, but also I dont know how old she was, I know she was a very mature bird.

sorry to hear that your hen died Bev is the cock coping with the chicks or are they now oldenough to be on their own? Sorry to sound so cluless but i have not read your other posts so have no idea how far into the breading process they were when you hit troubles.

Edited June 22, 200519 yr by angel121

Awww, Bev...... (((hugs)))