the 2 older babies being much bigger than the new one suffocated him because i just checked on the new baby and he is dead. there are 2 eggs left in there waiting to hatch, how can i prevent this from happening again, should i just start feeding the 2 big guys? (i have handfed before)
2007-09-06 01:58:13 · 9 answers · asked by lola7737 5 in Pets ➔ Birds
Oh brother, here we go again!!! The older babies are not a threat to the younger babies, It just so happens that the smaller one is tiny and mom and dad lays on the babies to keep them warm. The little one(being so tiny) just happened to get laid out, so to speak. If this is their first clutch, they don't know how to take care of them all.
It could also be, that you are interfereing way to much in the box. The parents will kill young chicks if they feel their babies are threatened in any way. You need to feed, water and leave them alone.
If in deed you know how to pull and hand feed, then do so and leave the parents alone to fend for the rest of the chicks that hatch out. But keep your nose out of the box.
If you had 5 eggs, and only two babies hatched, that means 3rd egg hatched and you were in the box wayyyyy to much and the parents felt threatened and sitting way to tight to keep them from harm. Because you also said there are two more to hatch out. This is way to much information for you to know right in the middle of them hatching.
2007-09-06 02:15:31 · answer #1 · answered by humor4fms 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the birds laid 5 eggs, 2 of which hatched LAST week, with one last night the other two eggs are most likely duds, there should not be that much time in between hatchings. Lovebirds usually lay an egg every other day or so, and they hatch out the same way, and entire week would leave me to believe the other 2 were not viable. You can candle them to be sure but I would be surprised if they were any good. You can probably leave the babies in the nest and let the parents take care of them from now on.
2007-09-06 05:43:55 · answer #2 · answered by Chiappone 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take the two larger chicks out and handfeed them. Be forewarned however that the lovebirds may not sit on the two remaining eggs, not to mention those eggs may not even be viable at this point. Candle them to see if they may still be alive. If they are close to hatching you will only see a black cloud type with perhaps some movement. If you google candleing you'll find some good pictures that will help you and the proper technique.
2007-09-06 02:22:37 · answer #3 · answered by dolly 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The parents should be able to feed the chick and do what is needed. Both parents feed the chicks, usually more the mom at first then as they get older the dad takes over. Make sure the parents have highly nutritious food, laying eggs, incubating and now feeding the chicks is just about the most stressfull thing a bird can do to it's body. A good quality pelleted diet, cuttle bone, vitamin/mineral block are essential. You can also supplement their food with lots of fresh things, a cooked egg will offer lots of needed protein, and you can use the dried eggshell as extra calcium sprinkled over their food. Keep and eye on the chicks, make sure they are being fed, which hopefully the parents will do wonderfully, if not you'd have to hand feed. Good luck
2016-05-22 07:28:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will admit to you that I know nothing about lovebird, but my instinct would say to feed the hatchlings you have now. I would think, if they were wild, the pair might produce "extra" eggs, in case something happened to some of them. Then, like many birds, the first hatchlings, if they are strong and thriving, will dispose of later hatchlings so that there is no competition for food. That, anyway, is what I think. Hopefully, someone who really knows will answer you. Good luck with your birds.
2007-09-06 02:08:36 · answer #5 · answered by claudiacake 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i would listen to the vet person get the two big guys out of the cage and hand feed them i would hate to hear that another baby bird had to die for the two big ones.
2007-09-06 02:07:15 · answer #6 · answered by Lady_Marie 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suppose you should listen to the more experienced answers, but, in the future, you may want to consider a roomier nest to try and prevent any "smothering" from occurring. Good luck!
2007-09-06 02:52:26 · answer #7 · answered by tri1104 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get the 2 big ons out of that cage, they are a threat to the mother even and hand feed them.
2007-09-06 02:03:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
try feeing your bird twice the amount you give him everyday, that way it will make it stronger. I will pray for your bird.
2007-09-06 02:08:57 · answer #9 · answered by soccermanico 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋