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Birds--General/baby lovebirds

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Expert: - 8/5/2006


Question
When a baby lovebird is old enough to eat on it's own, should we remove him/her from the parents cage or can they co-exist together forever? The baby is 6 1/2 weeks old. Thanks

Answer
Hi, Justine.  Thanks for posting.

Some parent birds will allow their offspring to stay with them, some don't.  It just depends on the pair.  However, I'd say you should be prepared to separate this baby from the parents if/when the parents decide to lay another clutch of eggs.  Most pairs don't really want an "extra" bird in the cage with them while they are brooding another clutch of eggs, but it just depends on the individual birds involved.  You need to watch for signs of aggressiveness by the parents and if you see any signs of the parents chasing the baby around the cage or picking on s/he, remove the youngster immediately.  Be sure to remove the nesting box if you don't want the parents to lay any more eggs.

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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