Expert: Riley - 3/12/2007

Question
Our parakeet laid seven eggs.  One hatched 3 days ago.  It looked like the daddy parakeet was biting it and tossing it around so I took him out. We want to hand raise the babies but I'm not sure about hand feeding them.  Can we just let the mom do it.  After 3 weeks will they eat the normal seeds that we give mom and dad bird or will we need to do the formula thing.  We are very new at this but we want to do it right.  Any help would be a blessing. Thank you, Sarah  
P.S. should we keep the dad in another caige?

Answer
Hi Sarah, thanks for posting!

The only reason you would need to hand feed a budgie is if the mom isn't feeding it. So there's no need for that unless you notice it isn't being fed. As for the dad, I'm not sure if taking him out is for the best. The dad feeds the mom so she doesn't starve will taking care of her eggs/babies. But if the dad is abusing the babies, then I suppose you should put him in a different cage. Just make sure the female gets fed. If there is anything else I can help you with let me know.

Riley