Budgie Foster Family

[Beasley]

You may have seen my first thread about these little ones here, and thanks to some excellent help from our members (with very special thanks to @finchly) they are no longer living in a box of poop and are hopefully on their ways to long and healthy lives!

In total there are the two parents, two weeks-old chicks, one 2 day old chick, and nine eggs! They were surrendered to a store and I have taken them in to give them a less stressful environment to hatch and grow up. I am vexed with the two most prevalent parenting questions: am I doing this right? And should I be doing more?

The parents are happy and the chicks seem to be doing great. The two older chicks have their eyes open and the youngest is growing larger every day! None of the other eggs have hatched yet. I’m not sure if I should candle them or if I should just leave the nest alone. Likewise I don’t know if I should leave the older chicks as they are or pull them so they don’t crush any other newborn chicks. So far I’ve left them alone and everything has been going well.

I thought I’d document their journey here, here is their progression so far from Sunday-today, Tuesday. The original nest box picture is hard to look at...

Monday
Today
Mom & Dad

 

[Lady Jane]

Very good idea. We will be watching this thread.

 

[Dorcas George]

I missed the first thread but went and read it. Wow! Rooting for you and all those birdies!!

 

[finchly]

Doing great, Maggie! You can worry yourself to death about whether you’re doing it right. Just don’t!!! ( I do that too)

Try to enjoy the journey. I look forward to seeing more of them.

 

[Beasley]

You can worry yourself to death about whether you’re doing it right. Just don’t!!!

Hahaha yes, I am an expert level worrier! I am lucky to have such good parents at the helm, they are fantastic! I just need to remember that and I’ll calm down (a little bit)

 

[rocky'smom]

So glad to hear that they are doing well.

 

[Begone]

Budgie parrent are great parents.
So relax and enjoy this as much as you can.

 

[Begone]

And about that size difference. Watch carefully the little one.
If more eggs hatched, remove the older ones if you are willing to handfeed them.
At the moment I hadn't done anything as the youngest grows every day, and will get heat from the older ones.

 

[Beasley]

I went ahead and candled the eggs, I don’t know if there is a “too late to tell” option but I don’t believe any are viable they all appeared dark on one side with an air pocket on the other. No red or veins visible. I put them all back in because the chicks are using them to keep upright and the bigger chicks were moving around making me nervous about the littlest chick.

 

[Fergus Mom]

You have done such a great job! This is great news. How do you feel about the eggs not being viable Maggie?

 

[Beasley]

You have done such a great job! This is great news. How do you feel about the eggs not being viable Maggie?

I’m saddened, and I hope that I didn’t cause this. I do know that eggs need to breathe and these eggs are pretty well coated in poop, it could’ve been that or any number of things. I’m happy that the three chicks are alive and thriving. The biggest chick kept trying to climb into my hands which was adorable. Hearing their sweet little peeps is such a cute addition to the music of my bird room, I’m sorry there won’t be more of them joining the chorus.

 

[Zara]

It´s best not thinking of the how or whys. It´s possible they were early deaths and not at all related to being moved anyway. You have three chicks are seemingly healthy and they are what matters

Once you eventually remove the eggs, you could take a minute, think some happy thoughts for them and bury them in the garden, maybe it will help you?

I look forward to seeing the little one grow

 

[Beasley]

It’s amazing how much they change with every passing day

 

[Alien J]

I missed the first thread

So did I! How wonderful that you were able to take these birds in! The middle one reminds me of TD when he first came to us. He was a bit older at 19 days. Keep the pictures coming!!!

 

[Zara]

Adorable little chicks

The little guy is growing well

 

[Lady Jane]

Thanks so much for the sweet photos of the babies staying nice and cozy. For the parents you know it is much easier to take care of 3 than the full 9. Mother nature knows what is best.

 

[Beasley]

Thanks so much for the sweet photos of the babies staying nice and cozy. For the parents you know it is much easier to take care of 3 than the full 9. Mother nature knows what is best.

I thought of this too. Poor mom has laid so many eggs and they have raised so many chicks, both parents deserve a break. I’m almost relieved that they have an easy clutch to care for this time around.

 

[Zara]

Are you keeping these parents or will they be rehomed?
If you are going to be finding them a home, maybe you could have it be on the condition of not breeding them anymore.

 

[Begone]

I’m saddened, and I hope that I didn’t cause this.

The only thing you cause was to save parents and 3 chicks life. Nothing else!
And I agree with that this is much better for the parents.

 

[Beasley]

Are you keeping these parents or will they be rehomed?
If you are going to be finding them a home, maybe you could have it be on the condition of not breeding them anymore.

Technically they all belong to the store, the parents will be sold as a pair and kept together though. I’m trying not to be too worried about their futures, but it’s hard not to be..