Do parents Overfeed their babies?

Question

I have four baby cockatiels. One is a week old, one 6 days, one 4
days and one 1 day old.

I had to pull the male out for feather plucking. At first I was worried
about the babies not getting enough to eat with only one parent. But mama is feeding about every half hour or so, even through the night and the first three babies ALWAYS have their crop VERY full. I NEVER have seen them empty. I am afraid of Sour Crop. I read this is a problem with hand fed babies and that the crop should empty over night. Is this true with parent fed babies? Should the crop be allowed to empty or is it OK ALWAYS full?

The day old bay is not being overfed he gets very little but the
other three have VERY large Crops that are ALWAYS full. She allows me to handle the babies and is very gentle as she was a hand fed Cockatiel herself. She is 3 years old and this is her first clutch.

She laid and hatched the eggs next to, instead of inside the next box. Should I leave them where they are?

Answer 1

It's rare for a parent to overfeed a chick. I only know of one instance of that happening and the father was so over eager to attend his babies that he fed the chicks until their crops split. OUCH.

The majority of cases there's no need to worry. Mom and dad usually know what to do and how to do it. As a result they have a very full crop. As long as the chicks are round, pink and wriggly, everyhting is okay. Sometimes a chick might not be getting enough food. In that case you may want to pull the chick once in a while for extra feedings and place them back in with mom and dad.

Regarding plucking - how severe is the plucking? The down side is that cockatiels pluck often and it's a learned habit, like child abuse is with people. One of my males is a plucker. I usually pull the chicks if the plucking is too bad, but otherwise I keep them with the babies. Some plucking will happen, especially when those new feathers come in. As long as the baby isn't being plucked bald the troublesome parent can stay with the chicks.

Cockatiels will lay eggs in the weirdest locations ^.^. I had one hen lay behind and underneath the fridge. I heard of one who flew up into the light fixtures and raised babies there! In your case I'd put the chicks in the nest box as if they're kept where they are they'll suffer problems due to being too cold. If mom refuses to use the nest box, a large cardboard box such as one that canned drinks are kept in, will work wonders. Fill it with shavings or some plain newsprint and lay the chicks on top of it near the back. If mom doesn't want to use the nest box, she won't use it!

Answer 2

Are you sure it was dad picking? Females are most likely to pick. Yes it is very normal for mom to feed them full. This is a good thing. The runt always seems to get the bad deal, perhaps you could take him. Hand feed him yourself. They make especially spoiled and lovable birds because they take on the roll as in the runt.. or like a preemie baby.. They are spoiled! Watch the crop during the day and see if you see it go down. It likely will. If it was an instance of spoiled crop.. they wouldnt make it. You can also massge the crop gently if mom don't mind, this will aide in a slow crop. Keep a good eye on them and hand feed some.. they are lovely pets.. Oh yeah and give mamma some veggies.. sounds like she is doing good... eggs too. Also.. if mom was hand fed, this could explain why she laid them outside the box. She depended on you, and if their crops are full and all I would just leave them where they are.

Answer 3

Large full crops are common in new chicks. The female will not overfeed her chicks. If she is happy with her nest, then leave well enough alone. Personally, I make sure that she is given a good pellet food, fruits and veggies 10%, seeds 10% and chopped cooked egg with crumbled shell. Keep the ambient temperature warm 70'sF. No drafts. Even if you moved her chicks, she would probably still care for them. Use your good judgment. Try not to withhold food from her or the chicks. Have a tweet year and congratulations. Rotate the chicks if you want to but she will feed the most aggressive more no matter the placement of the chick. Relax, things will go well. Looks like a great year for you. Bringing in life at the beginning must be good feng shui! lol

Answer 4

No the mother birds will not over feed the babies.

The full crop is not a worry. The crop is full because it takes a while for the enzymes to break down the food before the stimach can digest the food they eat.

Answer 5

Never mess with nature. Most of the literature detailing problems with baby birds is for those trying to hand feed the babies. If the mother is doing the feeding, she knows what to do. Just let her be, and don't change anything in her cage.

Answer 6

no the mother bird knows how much to feed the youngings and what shes doing about the babies but to be sure see a vet