Help needed please

[babybudgies]

My aviary blew over last Tuesday , the dad flew off,my cat got the mum who couldn't fly, my problem is I have had to hand feed 3 chicks sadly 1 died within 3 days ,another this morning it was much tinier than other two.. The last budgie is very strong and has now progressed to eating from a feeding spoon, how do I keep him/her healthy..he has a lot of "stuff" under his tail, its poop is normal. when or how can I clean it ,also because of spoon feeding he/she gets a messy chest, I wipe down with tepid water but a bit remains. thanks

[samwiseg]

Oh I am so sorry to hear of this news I do hope you are able to rebuild things?

I am not experienced in raising chicks young myself, however I can point you in the direction of a link that may be of use to you that one of our members shared their experience with hand feeding and caring for a chick:

budgerigarsforum.proboards.com/thread/8241/dilly-budgie-story

I do hope this helps and hopefully other members will be able to advise you soon

[clt80]

So sorry to hear of this. How upsetting for you.

I have never raised chicks, but I am sure others on here can help.

With regards to the 'stuff' under your budgies tail, I have had this with some of mine and it needs to be removed otherwise it just clogs more and more until the budgie cannot go to the toilet. All we did was soak some flannels in warm water and gently hold it to the budgie's 'behind'. This softened the stuck stools and then we were able to gently wipe the wet stools away. If the bottom is raw from the stuck stools you can put a tiny bit of vaseline on to help ease it. Make sure the flannel is not too hot or too cold you don't want to give your budgie a shock, and only wipe the stools away when they are soft otherwise you will hurt it's bottom / pull feathers out with it.

I hope you are able to rebuild your aviary.

[milliej]

So sorry to here this, how awful! About his bottom, I've had this in the past and I used warm water and cotton wool balls to soften and wipe it clean. It worked with that particular bird. Do hope the little fella/hen progresses well and you feel able to start anew!