Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 10/18/2006

Question
My 4 baby budgies started hatching September 16th. They are still in the nestbox,  appear to be growing well.  Mom and dad are feeding them, and the oldest perches at the nestbox entrance.
  I am wondering if the box is, by now, too small for them -- should I take them out of the box or just leave it all up to Mom and Dad.
Thanks

Answer
Hi, Martha.  Thanks for posting!

Hopefully, you have at least a parakeet-sized nesting box.  It should be fine for the adult pair and about 6 babies.  Since you aren't handfeeding the babies, you need to leave them as they are and let the parents handle things.  The oldest is about to leave the nesting box and might be ready to fledge...this is why s/he is sitting at the nestbox entrance.  Once the babies leave the nesting box, daddy teaches them what they need to learn.  I'd like to recommend that you wean the babies to something other than seed if you aren't.  Please visit my website for information on this:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

What you need to be concerned about now is catching the female before she starts laying a new clutch of eggs.  If one baby is about ready to leave the nesting box, then the female is about ready to go to nest again, if she hasn't already.  If you don't want this to happen, you need to take action soon.  Come back with more details about what's happening and whether you want them to lay again.  If you don't handfeed the babies, they won't be tame enough to handle and you will likely have problems selling or giving them away (of course, I don't know what your plans are for the babies).  

Come back with any additional questions.

Chrys