Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 19, 2016 My pair of cockatiels have done it again! They are not going into the nest box tonight and the three chicks have been on their own most of today. Two of the chicks have food in their crop but although the smallest one has some food in its crop its a lot smaller and weaker looking - so once again its onto hand rearing the 3 of them. I'm taking no chances on letting them die now. It's going to a busy time shortly I've also got 7 fertile finch eggs in the incubator and if the pair I had in mind to foster them isn't ready when the finch eggs hatch I'll have to hand rear them too Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daisymay 64 Report post Posted March 20, 2016 sooooo cute, dont bother about going to sleep, emmy, cos you wont have time 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare L 175 Report post Posted March 21, 2016 Hope you don't like that thing called sleep Good luck with them, they are in the best hands possible How are they doing now? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 21, 2016 Actually its working out better than I thought with the cockatiel chicks. I'm feeding them approx. every 3 hours starting about 6am and last top up feed around 10.30pm - 11pm. I have been putting two hand warmers wrapped in a soft cloth on the bottom of the cage they are in and cover that with a paper towel and then some 'sawdust' (It's not really sawdust but I've forgotten the name of it) So I don't need any other type of heating during the night actually they are keeping each other warm. There is no need for heating during the day either. This is so different from the last ones. I see a big difference in them already (Still to give them names yet) the wee one in the middle has now got its eyes open and that makes such a difference. The finch eggs in the incubator haven't hatched out yet if and when they do that will be a very different story. The pair I had hoped would foster the finch chicks haven't laid any more eggs and are not going in the nest box. Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SarahR 70 Report post Posted March 22, 2016 hey emmy, want to see a magic trick? *poof of smoke* only 2 chicks remaining.....and now my jacket squeaks haha they are sooo cute (im stealing the one with the yellow head) wish i had the time to hand rear........actually.....i wouldn't be able to sell any if i did haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 22, 2016 2 hours ago, SarahR said: wish i had the time to hand rear........actually.....i wouldn't be able to sell any if i did haha Sarah let me tell you THAT is the most difficult thing to do - selling them- but before I let any go I have to be 100% sure they will be going to a good home. So far I have been lucky in that respect and I occasionally get emails and photos from their new owners of how they are doing. This is one photo I had sent to me and believe me the cockatiel is the BOSS in this situation. (the dog had been used to cockatiels before and before I let the young cockatiel go I let it play with a large toy dog I had ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SarahR 70 Report post Posted March 22, 2016 awwwwww i wish my dog interacted with the birds like that......usually he runs away as soon as they get fully feathered haha at the moment i have 5 teils.....2 are rescues so going to a new home soon 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 25, 2016 Just thought I'd give an update on the cockatiel situation. The chicks are doing great and the two larger ones are now flexing their wings and like to wander about. Never had to feed them during the night!! This is (l toR ) Titch, Babe and Tosh (lol) 2nd photo taken today . March 20th 5days later March 25th Everything was working out fine but there is always a BUT!! and this concerns the parents of the chicks. I had a cockatiel nest box in the inside flight- I had put it in there a while ago thinking Cheeky and his mate Munchy would perhaps use it -but they didn't - This was going to be removed last night then I was going to clean the cockatiel nest box that was outside. and taped it up so it couldn't be used again. I got the surprise of my life when I opened the door of the inside flight to remove the nest box --Bambino (the chick's dad) went into attack mode big style he had never done that before! I had to use a perch to keep him away while I removed the box then I discovered the reason why! there was an egg inside the nest box and me being me I couldn't throw it out so the nest box is now back in the inside flight and I'm keeping my fingers crossed Toots (the mother) doesn't lay any more. The other nest box in the outside flight has now been cleaned out but while I went to find the tape to cover the entrance hole by the time I got back the box already had two new residents -Cheeky and Munchy the pair who hadn't looked near the other nest box that had been in the inside flight! All I can think is- it must be the Scottish weather to blame Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 29, 2016 Thought I'd post an update on my three 'babies' What a difference a few days make, this is Titch, Babe and Tosh photograph was taken this morning. Tosh the oldest one is now starting to peck at the millet spray. Babe is catching up on the other two. Emmy (Thanks for the help with the photo Andy) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare L 175 Report post Posted March 29, 2016 You must be holding them to ransom to get them to stay still for a pic like that Tosh looks very happy though so maybe bribery? Hope they carry on as well for you, good luck with them. ( If I let my dogs near any of my birds they would eat them, can't catch a rat that's right in front of them though) 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 29, 2016 Hi Clare My wee dog has to be locked up when its feeding time for the birds just in case he thinks I'm fixing lunch for him They do have walkabouts now so I have to take them out one at a time now to feed them and they are trying out their wings too. This is Titch: After they have been fed I give them a wee wipe down with a soft damp sponge and they love that. Just one more feed tonight about 9.30pm and then a little 'top up!' for them before I go to bed and that's them until about 7am next morning. Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare L 175 Report post Posted March 29, 2016 Now that's more like a pic I would take all blurry I really don't know who you do it, all that patience with feeding and the the weening Must be very rewarding, maybe one day I will have that experience Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SarahR 70 Report post Posted March 29, 2016 they are beautiful emmy.....even if a tad ugly at the same time! haha im in love with tosh love his/her markings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted March 30, 2016 Thanks Clare and Sarah, Clare Re the photo being blurred Titch just wouldn't do as I asked when I said 'Hold it there !' Too busy with the daily exercises!! but joking apart seeing the width of the wings made me realise they are growing up fast. Sarah my grandchildren say baby cockatiels at that age look like mini dinosaurs (lol) My description : it's like the story about the ugly duckling that grows up to be a beautiful swan. Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SarahR 70 Report post Posted March 30, 2016 ........my niece just says "ewwwww thats disgusting" to my baby budgies then as they get older she says there pretty i think i will have to find a way to come and steal tosh can't wait to see them fully feathered 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare L 175 Report post Posted March 30, 2016 They certainly are Ugly, when young Looking on the Dino side of things maybe a Raptor, wouldn't want to mess with one nice and bitey 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted April 3, 2016 Well the 3 chicks are now move into a big cage and Tosh is actually climbing. Yesterday was the first time all three of them sat on a perch. Titch and Tosh are definitely eating some seed/millet but all are still getting the hand-rearing formula too. Another few days should make a big difference. Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SarahR 70 Report post Posted April 4, 2016 awwwwwwwwwww......can i steal one? haha what you going to be doing with them when they are weaned? selling or keeping? my baby budgies are starting to feather up now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy 528 Report post Posted April 4, 2016 Hi Sarah, Not sure what I'll do with them. one thing I do know for sure it's going to be VERY difficult to part with them but there will be more chicks emerging soon and I think I've finally run out of space The 3 of them had a 'walkabout ' in the shower room this morning- safest place to let them out to wander about. 5 hours ago, SarahR said: my baby budgies are starting to feather up now I think this is a nice stage of them growing every day you notice a difference. Emmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
