Two week old chicks, making sure everything is ok

[tweetiepiesmom]

I am enjoying reading about Nugget's and Bumble's progress. I'm sure its very satisfying for you to see them growing and be able to handle them at this young age. I'll pass along a couple things I've read in several postings about hand raising baby budgies. They should empty their crops once a day. Most people see this first thing in the morning. Since mom is still feeding them, you may not see that. The second tidbit is to not over feed them and stretch out their crop. I know its probably adorable when they come running to your hand to be fed but be careful with how much you give them. Sounds like you're doing great with them!

[pontikomama]

Thank you tweetiepiesmom! I’ve read those things too… Although when I’ve fed Bumble I’ve not fed him this much at all (actually today was the first time I even got the feeling that I got any measurable amount of food in him.) I find it really hard to judge and he does not run to me or anything so far. I was super careful and stopped before his crop felt properly full.
I just checked on them again and they both have really full crops, the mum fills them much more than I did!

Another funny observation is that they have really different chirps. I can tell which one is chirping in the box without looking.

[tweetiepiesmom]

Awww, that's so sweet that they have different chirps and you can tell the difference! My little Buddy was raised with is brother from incubated eggs. Their mom had been over-bred and was so poorly that she couldn't care for the eggs. The woman who took over raising them posted their progress everyday at least once, so I watched Buddy grow up virtually. The woman gave Buddy to me and kept his brother. That's how I know Bumble and Nugget will be such good pals to you.

[pontikomama]

First try hand feeding Nugget today and he did better than Bumble after days or practice. Got extra cuddly afterwards and wanted to lean against my hand for a nap.
Bumble is 3 weeks old today. He’s fallen or jumped out of his nest box two days in a row. I don’t think it’s mum pushing him out, she still feeds and loves on them but keeping an eye out. At least now I know I can feed them if needed. They both managed to weigh 4-5 grams more after their feed than before today.

[pontikomama]

I’m giving them one hand feed a day to make sure they are familiar with me feeding them if I need to step in, and make them extra tame
They just sit there wrapped in a dish towel like little baby bird mummies and wait hahaha it’s so cute

[criswell]

Your baby birds are so cute. It's lovely seeing them grow up.

[pontikomama]

Thank you! ❤️

[Lulu & Felice]

oh my.. precious, precious, precious! Wonderful job you are doing & thank you for bring us all along with you to share a bit of your sweet moments and joy.

[ariella]

They are completely adorable. Well done for doing so well with them.

[Marianne Marlow]

Are they exhibition birds? 59g sounds a lot for a chick

[pontikomama]

Yes they are show/English budgies

[pontikomama]

Well Mum spent the night out of the nest box and they had empty crops when I checked again at around 10 this morning so I guess I’m taking over feeding
I’m still popping them in the nest box for now but I’m keeping a very close eye in case she starts acting annoyed by them.

[Marianne Marlow]

Oh dear. Good luck with the feeding.

[skysmum]

Crumbs i don't even think Bailey was 59g , they are super baby's

Beautiful, good luck with the hand feeding

[pontikomama]

They were 59 with a full crop.. closer to 54-55 unfed