How to coparent lovebirds

[MaggieSmiles]

The fact that you are seeking out help instead of just relying on Internet blogs, etc shows that you care and wanting to do it correctly. I and I'm sure others appreciate that xx

Thank you! I love animals and I grew up with a mom who is a licensed animal rescuer... I've contacted a few specialists around Illinois (some were recommended by avian vets) but none have gotten back to me.

I miss my parrot so much I love these lovebirds though - they definitely have helped somewhat fill the void since my parrot moved in with my aunt

 

[Calpurnia]

People with more co-parenting experience can come along with more detailed answers. But if I were in your shoes I would try to look for experienced breeders in the area (you said you are already looking for an avian vet so that's good, they'll have some answers too). It's hard for us, who don't know the temperament of the parents, etc, to give definitive answers on how/when to start handling the babies. My instincts say definitely not until they have feathered out a bit and opened their eyes.

 

[MaggieSmiles]

People with more co-parenting experience can come along with more detailed answers. But if I were in your shoes I would try to look for experienced breeders in the area (you said you are already looking for an avian vet so that's good, they'll have some answers too). It's hard for us, who don't know the temperament of the parents, etc, to give definitive answers on how/when to start handling the babies. My instincts say definitely not until they have feathered out a bit and opened their eyes.

Thank you I really appreciate your help

 

[iamwhoiam]

Can't tell you about lovebirds but I started handling red-bellied parrot babies when they were about 2-3 weeks old (closer to 3 weeks). Before then I would check the nestbox daily. When I started handling the babies, at first I did co-parenting and then I started doing partial handfeeding. You have to be sure that this will not disrupt the parents taking care of the babies because if it does and they stop feeding then you will need to take over. Not predictable how they will react to someone pulling the babies and then returning them to the nest, but it can work. Sometimes you can pull them at a younger age but I wouldn't necessarily recommend that. With one clutch a friend was visiting and he pulled the babies without asking me when they were just a few days old. Luckily mom & dad were OK with that and continued to care for them.

 

[expressmailtome]

It is the birds first clutch and I don't want them to abandon the birds... When would you suggest I handle the birds? The parents are used to me/like me but I also don't want them to stress - any suggestions on how to go about handling them?

What age do I separate them so they don't hurt the babies? I've read with 5-6 weeks or 8-12 weeks... There's a lot of conflicting information out there and I'm still waiting for a call back from a vet.

Wait until they are over two weeks old as they will be less fragile and prone to being easily hurt. Handle the birds two or three times a day to keep them used to you. Most people wait until the mother has left the nest box, as there is less chance of being bitten. Just be careful as some parents will bite the babies to try to make the babies move away from your hands.

Unless you decide to hand feed the babies, you will have to wait until they are fully weaned to remove the babies. You will have to have seen the babies eating on their own from the food bowl at least a few times a day for a week or more. Watch for missing feathers as when parents feel that babies need to leave, whether the babies are ready or not, they will pluck feathers from the babies.

Separately, you will need to buy a bag of hand feeding formula for the babies in case the parents stop feeding them. Many parents will not be able to care for six babies (if the other eggs hatch) on their own, and unfortunately, simply do not feed the youngest baby(s). Also, especially with new parents, they can decide to stop feeding the babies part way through. This happens more frequently when a breeder repeatedly puts their hands in the nest box. When someone co-parents, they need to be sure to check the babies' crops each day to make sure that they have been fed.