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New Hatchling Parent Help

Pizzatron7

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10/28/24
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I have a few questions about raising cockatiel babies.
First off, these are babies to first time parents. There are 3 little hatchling 1. 8 day old 1. 7 day old and the other a 5 day old. The 5 day old looks smaller than usual and I'm a little worried it'll be treated as a runt and not get a lot of nutrition. It looks rather small compared to how the others were at 5 days old. I could be horribly wrong though as this is the first time I've had hatchlings. I really wouldnt want it to die. I had a bad experience as a kid where I also had new hatchlings and the last one to hatch had died after a couple of weeks.

I also would like to know when the appropriate time for cleaning out the nesting box to keep it clean is as its starting to give off an odor and to remove the unmatched eggs. Sorry for the trouble as this is also my first time here and may not know how to post correctly. Pics can def be shown if needed.
Thank you for your time, it's much appreciated!
 

Zara

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Hello, Welcome,

To avoid an unneccessary death, monitor the crop of the youngest very closely. Be sure they are getting fed. If you see they aren't having their crop filled, you can supplement feed using a syringe (look for a 1CC) and then place back in the nest with the rest. That doesn't mean feed at the first sight of an empty crop, give the parents a little time, go back and check 20 minutes later and then feed.

As for cleaning, I just spot clean the first week or two before fully removing bedding however, I have lovebirds which will be smaller, so I think it is fine to clean your nest now as it has been a week. Line a bowl with unscented kleenex or kitchen paper, place the little ones in there while you quickly empty and scrape out the nest box, refill with a few inches of wood shavings before returning the little ones.
 

Pizzatron7

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Joined
10/28/24
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Thank you for the help! I'll try to monitor as best as I can. Usually the little one is covered a lot by the other two so it's very hard to see. Once I begin cleaning I can monitor a lot better. I will post updates if necessary or ask for more help as well if it's needed.
 

Pizzatron7

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Update: So I cleaned out the nesting and removed a lot of icky stuff lol but all seems clean now until I do an actual deep cleaning once they're old enough to leave the nest.
Now I'm just worried about the very little one.
It's a week old today but it seems extremely small for its age in my opinion. The other two have fully opened their eyes and now my main concern is if I should feed the baby on my own just in case. And if there is more help I can give the parents, what would be the best?
 

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Zara

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If the smallest bird is being fed by the parents throughout the day, leave him in there with them. Just continue to monitor very closely.

If you feel their crop is never full any of the times you check in, or is not getting enough food, but is being brooded by the parents, then you can try supplementing the feeds with some formula.

The best you can do for success with slow growers is food, warmth and patience.
A constant supply of food, non fluctuating warmth.

And if there is more help I can give the parents, what would be the best?
Having plenty of food available for the parents is the best you can do for them. Fresh veggies and pellets with some seed. You can even feed a little egg food.
 
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