Need help with moving baby lovebirds

[Jhind79]

I'll make this to the point. I wasn't thinking my babies birds would hatch, and well 4 of 4 did. They are in a hanging tent thing. All close to 2 weeks old now. It's not big and I feel I need to move them into a box on the ground. Any suggestions on how to do this. Mom is doing a great job, and she's been out visiting with me and my other birds and I don't think she'll get upset if I move them, but is 2 weeks to young to try and handle to get outta the cabana to ground level?

 

[Icey]

@Zara and @BrianB would be the besr people to advise you. I have tagged them both for you.

 

[Zara]

Any suggestions on how to do this.

Rip the band aid off.
Go buy a wooden nesting box (or plastic if they have them), line it with a few inches of wood shavings, aspen is best, coarse pine is ok, avoid fine pine (can too easily be accidently inhaled), and never cedar (toxic).
Hang it in the cage up near the top similar location, or as best you can to the hammock thing.
Observe, from a distance. Don't stare too much, don't be too close. But watch to be sure they go in, and then check in on the little ones to be sure they're being fed.
If they're not fed, you can wait a little while but if the parents aren't feeding, remove and place in a brooder for hand rearing.

In the future avoid those hammock things for nests, they're breeding grounds for all sorts of harmful bacterias.

Good luck

 

[Jhind79]

@Zara The move went well. Mom's still taking 100% care of them. I just clean their nest box every 2 days and steal them for 20 mins while mom and dad are put in another room for some human time haha. If I handle the babies in front of mom and dad, should I worry alot about rejection at this point? The youngest bird is 3 weeks now and the oldest closer to 4(she laid eggs really close together). I'll never be able to take over feedings until close to the end as I can be gone 12 hrs a day sometimes, and don't want my kids or BF attempting it. But I want them hand tame. Best advice for that??!!

 

[Zara]

Well, there is always a chance of rejection. It can happen for no reason at all at any time.
You do have both parents, so even if the hen stopped feeding, your male can rear the chicks on his own.

Are your adult birds "tame"? Are they comfortable around you?
If they are comfortable around you (don't scramble or fly to get away from you) they should be fine if you have the chicks for a few minutes. You can put a sprig of millet in the cage to occupy them while you do that. Or some paper type toys to shred, or both.

My male was "tame" so I would have him with me and the chicks while I held them he would feed them. Later when I took over hand feeding, I would always invite him to join us, sometimes he would help, other times he just sat with the little ones while I fed.

Your chicks are at an age where even if they got rejected by their parents, they are a nice age for hand rearing. The problem is if you're not there to do it. I would go through it with your partner, show him how to prep formula and feed using a small teaspoon. It is super easy and low risk using a spoon. It is messy though so you gotta tell him to clean the babies after the feeds. But then he would be able to step in and do any feeds you can't. Knowing how to prep formula is handy to know even when there are no babies, so older birds or birds that get into accidents need to be fed that same way.
Here is a good video, super simple and clearly explained;
Just be sure to tell your partner to use a spoon to feed, not a syringe or needle.

Some helpful links about hand feeding :)

With these Links-I hope to bring You as Much information as I can to help anyone that finds them selves having to Hand feed A chick Lots of tips for Breeders-with links for Hand feeding etc http://www.parrotscanada.com/breeder...rbreeders.html A new way to Hand feed-With a Cup...

forums.avianavenue.com

I have never taken the chicks out of the room from the parents. I don't think it is a good idea. You are better just giving them something to distract - treats, veggies, bathing bowl of water, shreddables etc, and you sitting nearby with the little ones for a few minutes.

In a couple of weeks (when their feathers have come through) you will be able to offer some millet to the chicks, and interact with them that way too. So buy a good sized bag of millet sprays!

 

[Jhind79]

Awesome! Thank you. And my lovebirds are super tame. They follow me upstairs to my room when they don't want to be alone lol. They are probably rhe most travelled birds.. they go camping, shopping (ive been kicked outta a few stores) and car rides all the time lol. Just trying to get the new bird accustomed to traveling also

 

[Jhind79]

@Zara I was wondering if you'd be open to texting. I'm literally so confused on what to do with these babies to get them hand tame and ready for their new homes. Google is great, but so conflicting and I have sooo many quick questions lol. I'll give you a bird if you want one of them . I'm just trying to do what's best but I'm stressed tf out!!!!

 

[Zara]

I'm literally so confused on what to do with these babies to get them hand tame

What is it exactly you are confused about?

I have sooo many quick questions

Write them all here

I'm stressed tf out!!

Try not to stress and worry. Post the questions or things your are unsure about and I will reply to you here. I prefer talking only here in threads because then it could help others who are also googling looking for answers and come across this site, but moreso there are some other people on the board here who have a lot of experience raising birds and can help too.

 

[Jhind79]

What is it exactly you are confused about?


Write them all here


Try not to stress and worry. Post the questions or things your are unsure about and I will reply to you here. I prefer talking only here in threads because then it could help others who are also googling looking for answers and come across this site, but moreso there are some other people on the board here who have a lot of experience raising birds and can help too.

Ok. I think I have this sorted. I have them eating off a spoon. They will also eat birdfood. 3 can fly. One is lagging alot and still missing alot of feathers(im keeping this one for me.) They are going to their new homes sunday(so will be 6.6-7.4 weeks of age) provided im sure they are drinking alone also. Im sending them all with some baby food for use if needed. I've asked the new families to purchase what I've been feeding them currently. I guess I just need reassurance I'm ok to rehome at this point ?! They are crazy tho haha

 

[Zara]

They look great!

You just want to be pretty sure they are fully weaned before they go. So once a week has passed with no formula, they can go to their new homes.

I've asked the new families to purchase what I've been feeding them currently

Good, that is the best thing for the birds. Later in the future once the little ones are settled, their new owners may decide to convert to another food, but it's better for the birds initially to eat the same food because it is familiar and will give security.

And yes, giving a few heaped tablespoons of formula is a good idea

Love the photos!