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Birds--General/Baby on the side of he nestbox

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Expert: - 1/5/2008


Question
hi!
i have 6 parakeets and 2 mated. they ended up with 3 babies at the ned and
when the babies started to grow pin feathers at their heads, i noticed that the
oldest one would smetimed be on the side of the nestbox away from his/her
parents and brothers/sisters. a couple of minutes later, he/she would be back
next to the other babies and the arents still feed him/her. wy does he/her do
this. is something wrong?

Answer
Hi, Katelyn,

Baby birds are mobile, i.e., they can move around in the nesting box.  It could be that the baby is too warm with mom sitting on it so it moves from under mom, it could be that there is something wrong with the baby and mom pushes the baby away, it could be that the babies are getting too big for all of them to fit under mom....

As long as this baby isn't being picked on, is being fed by mom, and is being kept warm enough that its food can metabolize, I'd say there isn't anything to be concerned with.  

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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