Hurry! parents not feeding babies

[AlisaK1974]

Help,
My parrotlets have successfully raised 1 baby last year and are trying again this year. They are hatching the babies just fine, but will not feed them. They have plenty of food (cockatiel seeds). The male and female stay in the box. Three have hatched and already 2 are dead before I peeked. They are in their own private room with a light until 9pm. I am not sure what to do. I am afraid if I try to feed the babies that they will surely reject them. I am unable due to work to feed the babies every 2 hours. What should I do?
Thanks,
Alisa

[chapala]

So sorry, must be hard to see the babies die from lack of feeding. I'm not a breeder and hoping that one of our experienced people will be on here to help you soon! If you can't hand-feed, I wonder if there is a breeder near you that could take on the babies?
Reta

[Taylor]

I'm sorry to hear of your problem. It must make you very sad.:(
I'm sure you have tried to think of this, but, is there anything that you are doing different from last year when they succeeded? Temp. Humidity level, ect. Also you said you just have seed for them, Why don't you try some cooked egg and rice with a few veggies chopped up fine. Are they only used to seed? If so they may reject the other foods. I would then try a dry egg food. Where are you located? How old are the babies?

[Trice]

I wouldn't allow them to just sit there and die. I would suggest going to your pet store and buying Kaytee exact infant breeding formula . Then Hand Feeding. It's not difficult to do.

where are you located?

[Trice]

one other suggestion: Most avian vets offices will accept birds that the parents are not feeding. Contact your local Avian vet. Where are you located?

[Tony Bucci]

If Alisak was in my area I would take the bird and help him learn how to hand feed.

[AlisaK1974]

I'm sorry to hear of your problem. It must make you very sad.:(
I'm sure you have tried to think of this, but, is there anything that you are doing different from last year when they succeeded? Temp. Humidity level, ect. Also you said you just have seed for them, Why don't you try some cooked egg and rice with a few veggies chopped up fine. Are they only used to seed? If so they may reject the other foods. I would then try a dry egg food. Where are you located? How old are the babies?




It could be a difference in humidity level because it is at a different time of year. I have offered different foods and pellets, but they are only used to seeds. I may try again with the veggies chopped up fine. I will also try to find a dried egg mixture. I am in North Carolina. The baby left is only 2 days old. The parents are 2 years old. Thanks so much.

[AlisaK1974]

I wouldn't allow them to just sit there and die. I would suggest going to your pet store and buying Kaytee exact infant breeding formula . Then Hand Feeding. It's not difficult to do.

where are you located?


I have to work and am unable to take them to work. I am away from home for 10 hours. I was afraid to start handfeeding thinking that they needed to be fed every 2 hours. I guess it is worth a shot though. After I feed them, can I put them back in with the parents during the day?

[AlisaK1974]

one other suggestion: Most avian vets offices will accept birds that the parents are not feeding. Contact your local Avian vet. Where are you located?


I haven't thought of a vet taking them. That is an idea. I could also contact the breeder that I got the parents from. I am in North Carolina, near Raleigh. Thank you.

[Trice]

I travel to Wilmington a lot and different parts of NC. I would be happy to take it . I'm sure the breeder would as well. I can tell you in NC, there is a Parrotlet society in Raleigh. I've spoken with a number of people from there , everyone seems real nice. As another alternative , I'm sure someone within that area within the society would as well. Please don't allow the baby to just not get fed and die.

They also have a bird society.

[Trice]

My e mail is Catspatrices@aol.com or you can reply to my post , click my name and select send private email. I'll be happy to help you if I can.

[Trice]

I am located in South Carolina.

[AlisaK1974]

I travel to Wilmington a lot and different parts of NC. I would be happy to take it . I'm sure the breeder would as well. I can tell you in NC, there is a Parrotlet society in Raleigh. I've spoken with a number of people from there , everyone seems real nice. As another alternative , I'm sure someone within that area within the society would as well. Please don't allow the baby to just not get fed and die.

They also have a bird society.


I am too late. I haven't heard any peeping, so I checked the box. The chick is already dead. They are laying on two eggs. I feel terrible. I waited too long. Thank you for your help, but I am not sure if I can go through this again. I may find another home for this pair who has better experience.

[Trice]

I'm sorry to hear that , I would have taken it. Where outside of Raligh do you live ? What color are the pairs of parrotlets ?

[Trice]

If the next two eggs hatch , what are you going to do wtih the new babies ? If this happens again, what are you gong to do with the babies?

[unpoquito]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I think it would be a good idea to find the pair a new home if you're going to allow them to breed. They'll need someone that can be home a lot more in case baby birds need feeding and hand raising.

[Trice]

I agree with Kristen. please know, I'll be happy to help you if I can.

What are you going to do with the two eggs once they hatch?

Trice

[Trice]

Just to let you know: Currently, I dont work and stay at home.

[AlisaK1974]

If they hatch, I will call the breeder that I got them from to see if they can handfeed. I will let you know and try to feed them myself in the morning and evening. I am between Raleigh and Benson. The parents are the normal green. If the eggs don't hatch, I will take the nest box away and not let them breed again.
Thank you for your help.

[abird4u]

I have similar situations breeding several different types of birds. Sometimes they are just not good parents and that needs to be monitored. I have seen where they will "abandon" a baby or several babies..later to find out something was wrong w/ them. It is a natural instinct for the parents to not feed babies if they are weak,something wrong, etc., due to being able to feed the rest of the clutch "not to be wasteful" feeding what will not survive. I have "saved" babies that have had handicaps, the parents abandoned them. It can be very time consuming to try saving the babies..depending on what the situation is. Sometimes (I feel/felt) it may have been better off if I let MOTHER NATURE take its course. Sometimes 1st time parents just don't really know what to do, but will do great 2nd time around. Personally I would let the eggs hatch and see if the parents will feed them. You can check their crop to see if they are being fed and if not pull them for handfeeding..sounds like there's some backup handfeeders for you.

[BUUZBEE]

I am so sorry I am just catching this now. Thank you Trice for the emails, i've been offline for the holidays :(

alisak, have you candled the other eggs to see if they are good? When are they due to hatch?

Yes, you can handfeed while they are in the box with the parents, some babies need a few good feedings to get strong enough to give out good feed me calls. Then the parents get in gear and take over. Have you ever handfed before?

I have to say, since you don't have the time to handfeed (due to work), I don't think you should try breeding again. Just for this reason, you have to be able to take over handfeeding if needed. So having a brooder, feeding equipment and food available. Fortunatly, at my job, I am able to take a brooder (handmade) to work and handfeed when needed. If I wasn't able to, I would not be breeding until I could.

Good luck and if you need any emergency help, my email is buuzbee@aol.com

[BUUZBEE]

How are things today?

[AlisaK1974]

Hi,
The remaining 2 eggs never hatched and when candling, did not appear to be fertile. I have removed the nest box and do not plan to breed this pair again. If you are interested in this pair or maybe trading to repair them let me know. Thank you so much again for your help.
Alisa

[BUUZBEE]

probably a good thing the last two were not viable eggs. Glad to hear the box is removed, I'd say let this pair "retire" from breeding and let them enjoy life in a good sized flight cage as a pair.