HELP: Urgent advice needed!!!!

[Ineke]

The hen is capable of feeding and raising the babies on her own is my understanding but the problem in this situation is that these birds have been under extreme stress and with her mate dieing she may just not want to. I would keep a close eye on the babies and ifat all possible pull them. The birds need a chance to recoperate from all this nonsense. Not only was Peggy gone but so was their food and water... The roomate makes me very angery.

[TikiLola]

Oh no! I will be praying for all

Leaf

[Crystal]

I hope Mom and babies stay in good health and good spirits! Such a sad situation!

[PeggyB]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom and of comfort.

Here's a brief overview of the facts:

The chicks are four weeks and three days old. Leaf died on Saturday night. I had a breeder check on them several times. The chicks were well fed all day Sunday and today when I got back both had full crops. I saw Dasani feeding them, no one else. She goes out and eats a lot. But you are right, it would be better if I put more food right by her nest.

I would still rather not handfeed unless I have to. The chicks are so friendly, and Dasani doesn't mind me holding them.

But what if she can't keep up with the feeding as they are growing exponentially? Has anyone ever tried mixing parent food with formula? Is that a bad idea?

Also, isn't it late to pull them? I heard that it is much harder to feed at this late state? The last thing I need is a hard to feed chick with a chance of aspirating it.



Again, I am very grateful for the advice. It is good to be back. They all missed me.. I was swarmed with linnie loves when I got home and stepped into the linnie room. Aww. Worth it all.

[INFLIGHT]

Great new Peg, I would try to keep the status quo if she is feeding, how are all the baby budgies and canaries?

Anton

[Birdlover]

Oh I'm so sorry to hear about Leaf, Peggy try not to worry, just make sure Dasani has plenty of food around. She should be fine feeding the chicks herself, it's just going to take a little more effort on her part.

Make sure she has plenty of egg food, cooked pulses are always good too. I like to mix some egg food and pulses together, my Linnies love it.

I'm sure she will be fine, as her babies are 4 weeks old, they should be a little more resilient and before you know it they will all be eating by themselves.

Good luck!!

[Crystal]

I'm glad to hear that Dasani is being such a great Mom! She will be extra stressed, but it seems like she is handling things well. I have known breeders to supplement parent fed babies with hand feedings, so I'm fairly sure that would be fine. I think the problem may be that at 4 weeks old the babies may not accept food from you--I think I remember hearing that if you are going to handfeed you need to start by three weeks of age. Can any of the experienced breeders confirm this?

[Dennis Counts]

Peggy, they are just a few days from starting to wean. Before they actually wean they will eat less and lose weight in preparation for flight. Leave them at this point, mom is doing a great job, and it will soon be done for her. Be careful if mixing formula with her food, if it is moist, it will spoil very quickly. As a handfeeder, I would not reuse formula if I had to let it sit for more than 15 minutes or so. Then give her a long rest and if she will let you, give her lots kisses from all of us! Dennis

[apj]

You and babies are in my thoughts..........its just so sad.............

[PeggyB]

Originally Posted by Dennis Counts

Peggy, they are just a few days from starting to wean. Before they actually wean they will eat less and lose weight in preparation for flight. Leave them at this point, mom is doing a great job, and it will soon be done for her. Be careful if mixing formula with her food, if it is moist, it will spoil very quickly. As a handfeeder, I would not reuse formula if I had to let it sit for more than 15 minutes or so. Then give her a long rest and if she will let you, give her lots kisses from all of us! Dennis

This is very useful information. They are so friendly that I think they would accept food. They weren't fed very well this morning, but then again I had to leave for work at 8:00 AM and Dasani was still foraging, she only gave them a little dose, but hopefully has returned to give them more.

Only a few days.. that would be great if they can start to wean. Would you recommend any type of soft baby food that doesn't sour, something I could leave out for them when I am at work. I don't get home until 3:00 PM.

They haven't ventured to the opening of the nest (sleepy hut), but I have it all secured (inside another cage) so they won't fall when they do start wobbling out.

One is blue, like Dasani and the other is green like Leaf. I feel that I have a little part of Leaf still with me.

[gail]

Denis is right on Peggy...Just a few more days then you can introduce something in the way of millet and perhaps a few cheerios...Yes cereal...My babies loved it...Also introduce slowly some soft food such as warmed peas...You are doing just great!! I don't know of any food that is soft enough to leave ALL day without going yucky...Do you have anything like the product called Flourish? It helps the baby's grow...I put it in their hand feeding formula to help them eat and grow...Peggy, I wish I lived closer to help you out but know that many of us on here are with you and your situation...Your a good momma to all your birds and once things are settled down again it will get better....Hang in there....

[SensFan]

Peggy, I'm so glad to hear that the babies are doing well. Hopefully they'll start eating on their own really soon. You and your flock are still in my prayers.

[PeggyB]

Chicks are ding well. Dasani is a good mother and feeds them well. They haven't ventured out of the hut, but nibble on millet inside the hut. I will post further comments under the initial thread in the journal section: Leaf and Dasani's first clutch.

Thank you for all your comments and help when I needed it the most.

[Birdlover]

That's such good news, they will soon be out of the nest and fending for themselves

[boing]

Glad to hear Dasani is such a great mom!

[Birdeze-Holly]

Chances are the hen will NOT ALLOW anyone (another bird) near her babies...eggs or nest. If she's friendly with another female, a second female can help. I had two hens last year feeding babies. They were the healthiest babies ever, because they got double fed!
Alls I'd do is look for a full crop. If it's full, leave her to feeding, she will not let them starve. I have total confidence that the hen will take care of everything (as us human females do lol!!!)

DON'T WORRY....nature is awsmazing! amazing + awesome = awsmazing
See picture - that crop is full, baby is happy! That baby is only one day old.

[SensFan]

Miss Holly what a sweetie.

[TikiLola]

I love the Mr. Magoo stage!