When the last clutch was about 3 weeks old, Papa was very hostile to Mama and I had to separate them. I put them back together, as was suggested, when the babies left the nest and were put in a separate cage. Well, before I had my hands out of the cage, Mama and Papa were at it! It was hysterical. They did it 4 times, one right after another, with no shame, and no shyness! (Laughing out loud)

 

So, Mama laid 4 eggs, broke each one within hours (as she did last time), then laid 7 more (one was broken), so we have 6 eggs that she has been sitting on for 19 days today. Well, yesterday morning one hatched. It's just as thrilling as before. Being she has 6 eggs this time, and had 3 last time, I am worried that she won't be able to handle them all. Should I help her by offering some food to the babies (after they are a bit older and larger). I think she will be able to handle it in the beginning, but when the chick's food demands went up last time, she lost so much weight, she looked almost emaciated. What do I do???

 

This time, however, I am going to remove the nest when the parents are re-united, (assuming it goes as last time) and if they mate, so be it. I am going to just let the eggs fall and break, as it can't be good for her to have another clutch (it would be her third).

 

Is this correct? Is there any other way to keep them from mating so often? They mated almost daily until the eggs were about 16 days old! She just kept laying eggs every other day.

 

Thanks for your advice - it's so helpful.

 

Julie

im sorry i dont know any of the answers

but congratulations you must be doing somthing right!!!

jason

congrats, I know someone with experience will be by

Don't worry about the size of the clutch of eggs. First see how many hatch and keep a good eye on her. Did she have any trouble with the first clutch, if not, this one should be okay.

 

As for the feeding. You should have started feeding them Budgie Starter or Egg and Biscuit mix every day from the laying of the first egg. I also give them half a teaspoon of huled oats every day. Sprouted seeds such as mung bean is good for them as well. You can start this now and it will help, but it might take them some time to adjust to the new food. Keep the seed up to them.

Try this link to help with a routine.

 

 

As for stoping them from breeding....ask Phoebe.

Edited March 13, 200619 yr by daz

She will find it heaps easier to feed the babies egg and biscuit mix, so definately put some of that in, and all the rest that Daz says. I always find that the hen looks a bit weary by the time a clutch fledges. Bit like us human Mums I think

 

Your right, no more clutches after this one. Yes, take the box away, and let the eggs smash. Reduce the amount of light they get. You could do this to the male before you put him back (assuming you take him away) and also to the female anytime you like. Reduce the light to about 12 hours, by covering the cage, and it will take away the urge to mate. You can even reduce it down to 10 hours should you need to. Reduce the light, take away the box, even Cassanova gives up

I have my fingers (and toes) crossed that their desire for each other will be kindled with the removal of the nest box. :hap:

So far, one baby - hatched Sunday AM. Here's pictures.

 

Here's the chick at about 2-3 hrs old. It's still the same size as the egg, although not for long! (Laughing out loud)

 

 

Here is 2 days old. I love the nice, full crop.

 

 

Here's 3 days old. Again, nice full crop. Poor guy, trying to snuggle with eggs! He sure needs some clutch mates - they are a heck of a lot softer than eggs. Oh well, soon enough - at least he has mama.

 

Mama had no trouble at all keeping up with the three babies last time, but I will admit, when they were about 3 weeks old, or so, she was pretty ragged from trying to keep up with feeding them, as Papa had to be removed from the home and she had to do it all herself. I am expecting the same thing to happen again. I thought maybe, if she needs help, I would offer the babies some hand-feeding formula. The formula I had was almost seven years old, so I picked up some new stuff, in case I need it.

 

I am thinking we will have another chick tomorrow, as she laid them every other day, and she had this one on Sunday. Does this mean that one of the eggs is bad? (as nothing has hatched since Sunday, and today is Wednesday?)

 

I give them (mama and papa) a dried egg mixture. They love brocolli, but haven't been willing to try anything else fresh. I do give them vitamin enriched seed and some millet (once a week or so). The chicks from the last clutch are doing wonderful. They are eating like crazy! I give them about 4-5 different dark leafy greens including kale, spinach, mustard greens, parsley, brocolli, dandilion leaves, sprouts, and a couple more that I don't remember the name of) - and they love it! They wait for it every morning and the three of them rush to the bottom of the cage to get their breakfast. It's so cute to watch and makes a mom proud They are going to be the healthiest little budgies in town!

 

You are all wonderful! I don't know what I would do without your guidance. Thank you

AWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....im in love!...tehehehe..(Laughing out loud)

 

Best of luck!

 

Kirby

cute little baby :dbb1: It sounds like one egg is dud, since it should hae hatched when this one was 2 days old.

 

I hope you don't have to remove dad this time he will be albe to help a lot more near the end.

Just make sure you do remove the box after this. Hens can handle 2 clutches twice a year without too much trouble. You shouldn't allow hens to raise more than 12-15 babies a year for the sake of the hen.

 

I try and prevent my hens from laying a second clutch immediately after the first clutch fledges. If I have another laying hen I give her the eggs & remove the box from the first.

Chick #2 was hatched this morning! If you would like, please see my pictures at my Fotki site. I made a Budgie Album.

 

 

http://public.fotki.com/Birdmom2a2/my_bird..._budgie_family/

 

 

 

 

The little one is about 1 hour old. I'm so excited!

 

Papa seems to be in the nest much more than last time. He just sits in there with mama, preening her, and keeping her company. How cute

 

We still have four eggs to go, but I think one is a dud, as the previous chick was 4 days ago. We shall see:)

 

Julie

 

Kirby

They are so cute . What is the material you're using in the nest? I've just never seen it

I can't wait to see your babies to fledge

Material looks a bit like clumping kitty litter.

Material looks a bit like clumping kitty litter.

 

Kitty litter? NO WAY! (Laughing out loud) - It's by Kaybee and it's called Soft Sorbent. It's soft little round 'balls', as you can see. It's very nice as it absorbs quite well and the nest is staying clean. Last time, I had to change the bedding every day and clean the poop off of the babies' bodies as it was stuck all over them. I really like it as the nest doesn't smell, as it did last time also. It also looks to be quite comfortable for everyone . It must retain the heat nicely too as the nest seems to be a bit warmer than it was last time, and the air temperature is actually cooler in my home. I looked on the bag to see what it's made of, but it doesn't say. It feels like maybe newspaper??? I'm not sure.

 

So, update ...... we have four chicks now. Absolutely adorable, of course. The oldest one is starting to get his fuzz and the youngest one still has his eyes sealed with no ear openings yet. What a difference. The little one looks like a fetus and the oldest looks like a baby bird:)

 

Here's this morning's pictures - from oldest to youngest.

 

 

It's really wonderful as Mama and Papa are letting me watch them parent the chicks in the nest. If I open it just a bit and peer in, real quietly, Mama will look at me and then either look at her chicks or close her eyes and rest. She doesn't mind at all when I take her chicks for pictures, and takes a few moments to eat or get a bit of exercise. Papa seems to be the nervous one and sometimes gets restless when I take the chicks. Both parents are very trusting of me and seem very proud of their family.

 

We have two eggs left - the last one being due on Friday - we'll see

 

Julie

AWWEEE. Sweet. It really is amazing how different in size and development they can be in just a few days.