Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/12/2008

Question
Hi, I'm writing a novel in which a charachter has to raise a hatchling budgie because its stronger sibling is taking all the food. But I know nothing about this subject - can you help?

What I really need to know is how often a hatchling has to be fed and what with (would it be fed during the night as well?). How many days/weeks until it's strong enough to feed less frequently? How long before it grows enough to fend for itself?

Also what would be a suitable bed to put the chick in and could you really carry it around in your pocket?

Your help will be much apreciated and will get you a mention in my acknowledgements.

Thank you.
Naomi

Answer
Cool!  Good luck, Naomi.

Chrys
---------------------------


Hi, Naomi,

A just-hatched budgie has to be handfed every hour or 2 round the clock for about the first 5-7 days.  After the first week, if the baby is ready, you can stop the graveyard handfeedings and go to 4-5 handfeedings per day (morning, noon, dinner, bedtime....in between if necessary to keep the crop full).  At about 4 weeks, the weaning process starts, which is a process whereby the baby is converted from handfeeding to normal feeding.  Budgies I've raised usually wean completely to eating on their own at about 6-7 weeks, depending on the individual bird.

I don't know what you mean about a "bed."  Hatchlings are kept in nesting boxes, with mom caring for the babies and daddy feeding mom.  If being handfed, they'd be kept in a store-bought brooder or a handmade brooder of some sort.  A brooder is something that can maintain a certain temperature, certain humidity level, controlled air circulation, controlled environment, etc.

I wouldn't carry a hatchling budgie in my pocket.  They have to be kept warm until they are feathered enough to keep themselves warm.  A hatchling used to being in a pocket might stay there, but most budgies I know would want out where they could see what was going on in the world!

I hope this helps.  If not, come back.  Let me know the name of your novel once published so I can check it out (or do you really have a hatchling budgie you need to know how to care for).  

Chrys