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Posted by justan on March 23, 2003 at 14:43:08:

I have a question...again, I have four babies I've been raising now for about 3 weeks. I have left two smaller babies with the parents. The two younger and smaller babies are now much larger and wiegh more being feed only birdseed. While the babies I've been feeding appear smaller and much thinner. (I've been using 'Instant Nutri-Start' Formula for the last year.)

It has been my expierence that the chicks stay thin while feeding and then when they begin to eat on their own they put on wieght. I would think that the formula would be much healthier for them than plain Cocatiel feed. I will admit due to working during the day, I feed them only twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. But I do feed them very good and there crop is never completely empty.

Can anyone tell me if it's normal that chicks don't fatten up as much nor as fast with formula? Am I using the wrong formula?

Another question: What are your thoughts on takeing the babies away from the parents to hand raise? Do you think it trauma's them in any way? Its seems cruel to me. I was think of leaving the two chicks in the box and let the parents complete the raising process on thier own. But if you think its no big deal then I would rather take them out to hand feed.

Thanks again everyone for your help and advise.

Ps. It's looking like I may have a home for the parents once I've finished raising the babies.

Pss. Remember I told you about the female and her weakend condition not wanting her to lay any more eggs... Well, even though there are still chicks in the box they are attending...They are at it again and I fear she is going to lay yet another clutch assuring her demise. I'm not sure if seperating them is a good idea at this point because she may already be fertile and they are still feeding chicks. What to do.....drama.

Please adivse on this one too...

Justan

Follow Ups:

• Impacted crops ciscobird 03/23/03 (0)
• Re: Hand raising/Parent raising ciscobird 03/23/03 (0)
• Your birds are starving ciscobird 03/23/03 (0)