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Birds--General/Babie cockitiels

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Expert: - 11/23/2007


Question
My pair just hatched their first clutch, is there anything I need to do for the babies or do Mom and Dad take care of them? Thanks for your help

Answer
Hi, Donna,

It depends on how well mom and dad take care of their babies.  Not all parrots are good parents.  You have to know when to step in and/or when you need to do something.  

Mom and dad take care of most things if the parents are good parents.  However, you will need to keep the nesting box cleaned out of their droppings, etc., so they do not get sick.  Put a THIN layer of PINE shavings (not cedar shavings or saw dust) in the bottom of the nesting box to help keep the babies clean of their own droppings and change this substrate daily.  If you are going to handfeed the babies so they will be tame and handleable, you'll need to pull the babies from the parents when they are about 10-14 days old.  If you need more information about handfeeding, visit my website:  www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html.

Hopefully, you have the parents on soft food so they will be better able to feed their babies and so the babies (and the parents) will grow/stay strong and healthy.

Chrys

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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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