Video Hi, we have chicks!?!

[Vikki Holt]

Morning Zara, I had done that (the original setup) and they still wouldn't come back in. After 6hrs I took them chicks back out and put them in a brooder I had made up and fed them again. When the parents finally came in, they left the box for a good half hr before they went back in. She got a little aggressive towards him when she found it empty, but on the whole they didn't seem too bothered. They didn't sleep in the box last night and this morning the chicks are fine and I have just filled their crops again. I'm inclined to hand rear them from now?

Also, the smallest one was quite weak when I first took them out but it seems much sturdier now, not sure if it was not getting enough, plus it did have a couple of marks on its back, perhaps getting trodden by the bigger one at feeding time?

 

[Zara]

It sounds like that.

Your choices are, if the parents will brood, then you can leave them in the nest and you supplement feed the birds (especially the youngest), or pull them out, set them up in a plastic container with a heat pad under it and a thermomemter inside.
If the parents aren´t tending to the chicks, then just pull them out and you raise them.

It´s unfortunate the parents are like this, but ultimately you needed to clean that nest. The youngest wasn´t being fed well, and infection from the dirty nest could have been a serious issues, even killed him, if you hadn´t stepped in to clean up and feed him.

Every time the crop is almost empty, feed the chicks again. The crop needs to empty completely, once per day (overnight is the best time to allow this).

 

[Vikki Holt]

Thanks again Zara. I’m nervous to put them back with mum and dad in all honesty. I was out first thing to the Pet Store and had already gotten exactly what you suggested. It was actually a terrarium breeding box that I bought but its transparent and about the right size for them. I have the heat-pad on the bottom with plenty layers of kitchen towel before wood shavings, so they don’t burn, with a little straw on top for them to burrow into. I’ve put some damp kitchen- roll in, to keep humidity and I have some safe cleaning product for the brooder.

What a few days its been! I certainly didn’t expect nor want to be in this situation but I’m happy that I’m doing the best I can. I have no idea if they will survive, but your advice has been invaluable – thank-you for being part of our journey so far! What an amazing forum this is, I’m so glad I found it.

Here they are in their new brooder, contented and with filled crops. The smaller one is already so much more alert with its head up and looking around. They are flapping their tiny wings and chirping a little too. I will keep you posted with their progress, Vikki xx

 

[tka]

I would take the box out of the parents' aviary/cage and boil any eggs that they lay. An embryo does not start to develop until the hen starts incubating the eggs, and she won't do that until she has laid the full clutch; you won't be hurting or killing anything. You can take the new eggs as she lays them, boil them and mark them with a marker pan so you know which eggs have been boiled.

You can buy specialised handrearing food which is higher in protein, fat and the vitamins and minerals that growing birds need: Roudybush Hand Feeding Formula 24oz
This comes as a powder that you mix with hot water. You need a thermometer to ensure that you are feeding at the correct temperature - too cold and the babies won't accept the food, too hot and it can burn their crops.

It would be a good idea to find out who your nearest exotics specialist is. It's much better to know this in advance - in an emergency, you want to get the bird to an avian vet asap. The last thing you want to be doing is googling around for a suitable vet.

You can check the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for people who have postgraduate qualifications in treating exotics. "Specialist" is a higher level qualification than "Advanced Practitioner" but both mean that the vet has studied exotics extensively and has taken additional assessments in their care.

Specialists in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine: 34 Veterinary Surgeons found who are Specialists in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine
Advanced Practitioners in Zoological Medicine: 56 Veterinary Surgeons found who are Advanced Practitioners in Zoological Medicine

 

[Vikki Holt]

I would take the box out of the parents' aviary/cage and boil any eggs that they lay. An embryo does not start to develop until the hen starts incubating the eggs, and she won't do that until she has laid the full clutch; you won't be hurting or killing anything. You can take the new eggs as she lays them, boil them and mark them with a marker pan so you know which eggs have been boiled.

You can buy specialised handrearing food which is higher in protein, fat and the vitamins and minerals that growing birds need: Roudybush Hand Feeding Formula 24oz
This comes as a powder that you mix with hot water. You need a thermometer to ensure that you are feeding at the correct temperature - too cold and the babies won't accept the food, too hot and it can burn their crops.

It would be a good idea to find out who your nearest exotics specialist is. It's much better to know this in advance - in an emergency, you want to get the bird to an avian vet asap. The last thing you want to be doing is googling around for a suitable vet.

You can check the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons for people who have postgraduate qualifications in treating exotics. "Specialist" is a higher level qualification than "Advanced Practitioner" but both mean that the vet has studied exotics extensively and has taken additional assessments in their care.

Specialists in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine: 34 Veterinary Surgeons found who are Specialists in Zoo & Wildlife Medicine
Advanced Practitioners in Zoological Medicine: 56 Veterinary Surgeons found who are Advanced Practitioners in Zoological Medicine

Thankyou. I currently have them on Hagen Tropican Lifetime Formula crushed and mixed with water. I will order some hand-rearing food, my local store did not have anything suitable. I have a digital thermometer for feed but struggling to get a decent pipette / syringe. I will order one online and hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. I have already removed all eggs from the box. One had already been thrown out and there were two duds at the bottom so the nest has been cleaned out and yes great idea about finding a specialist vet now. Thanks again

 

[tka]

I suggest removing the nest box altogether. It will just encourage them to lay more eggs.

 

[Vikki Holt]

I had thought about that but wasn't sure. I'll do that though, thank you.

 

[tka]

Bear in mind also that all eggs including fertile ones will look like duds until the hen starts incubating them. This is why you must boil them rather than assume that they are infertile.

 

[Vikki Holt]

Ok, I didn't know that so thankyou so much

 

[Zara]

Yes, now that you know you'll be rearing them, a proper hand rearing formula is important. I think Hagen make one, maybe look into that. I am loyal to Nutribird, but any reputable brand is OK.

You're doing great.

Be sure to spot clean the box daily and every few days give it a good clean.

 

[tka]

You can get the Hari Hagen one here: Hagen Hari Tropican Hand Feeding Formula

Also available here: Hagen Hari Tropican Hand Feeding Formula

You can get Roudybush here: Roudybush Hand Feeding Formula 24oz

These sites also sell Kaytee Exact handraising food which some members here use. I'm not a fan of their adult foods but know very little about their handraising formula and whether it's any good.

I can't see the Nutribird formula on my usual parrot shopping sites but they may be able to order it in if you would prefer to use that.

All formulae will come with instructions for use. You must make up a fresh batch each time; don't reheat a batch that has cooled down because warm formula is ideal for bacteria to grow in and you don't want to risk passing any of that on to the chicks.

As I said, the formula has to be kept at the right temperature for feeding. You may want to place the container of formula in a larger tub of hot water to keep the tempertature more stable.

 

[Vikki Holt]

I've already ordered the Hagen Hand feeding formula which will be here by tomorrow, but thank-you for the links. And yes I've already learned to keep the made up formula in a larger bowl of hot water. I've ordered a new heat pad as the one I have currently keeps the brooder at 72f but I dont think that's warm enough so I'm using warm towels and tin foil on the outside and underneath the brooder. They always seem warm when I handle them. I'll also be happier when the formula arrives - with this all happening over New Year and belated Bank Holidays most shops have been closed.

 

[Vikki Holt]

Thanks again for all your advice and support. Babies are fine and I'm starting a new thread about where to go from here! I have called them Victor and Violet (for now)! til I find out for sure their sex. Pretty birds!

 

[April]

Thanks again for all your advice and support. Babies are fine and I'm starting a new thread about where to go from here! I have called them Victor and Violet (for now)! til I find out for sure their sex. Pretty birds!

Ooh their colors are gorgeous!