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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 16, 2015 20:56:38 GMT
This was Tom and Mildred's chick aged about 4 days. He/she was born on 17/05/2015. 
This is the same chick today, 16/06/2015 
Mildred has no issues whatsoever with chicky being on my hand, and even joins in by jumping on. She is such a different temperament than Mim, and yet I tried to do exactly the same thing with her and Arnie, but she wasn't allowing it at all. Such a big chick, and I thought Arnie was big!
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 16, 2015 20:58:48 GMT
Sorry about Mildred's grubby little face, she loves her fresh egg food  Nom nom |
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 16, 2015 21:25:30 GMT
Oh my gosh, how precious!!! If you ever need a Nanny to 'bird sit'... I'm not that far away   |
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Post by FFG on Jun 16, 2015 21:29:38 GMT
Great stuff Darren I want one!! |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 16, 2015 21:41:53 GMT
Oh my gosh, how precious!!! If you ever need a Nanny to 'bird sit'... I'm not that far away I might just take you up on that mintysowner! I only have 14
I was handling the chick from about 2 weeks old, just holding a finger near to it each time I put fresh food in the nest, and gradually it has gotten used to me entering the nest. Mildred has never once bitten me. She nibbles ever so lightly.
This is the funny bit. Every time before I open the nest box door, I give it a couple of taps so as not to startle them inside. This evening I was out with them, with chicky on my hand, and I thought that I wanted a photo, so had to put him back inside to get the missus to come and take some photos. I closed the nest box door, and little chicky started tapping the inside of the door, just like I do. So I opened it up and he was straight out onto my hand. I was rolling up.
This beauty may just be a house bird once he's fledged. Just got to convince the wife due to the father-in-law's health.
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 16, 2015 21:48:52 GMT
Great stuff Darren I want one!! Thanks Gareth, the overwhelming feeling of success is amazing. Yes I only had one chick from a possible 6 that were laid, but this little darling is cuteness overload. I've always had a soft spot for dear old Mildred, and when her partner died last year (George) I felt so sorry for her. Tom took up the role, and this is their (and mine) result. I'm so happy that little chicky's temperament is laid back and so like Mildred's. The birds have certainly made my life a whole lot different just lately.
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Post by FFG on Jun 16, 2015 21:59:05 GMT
It must be a great feeling Maybe I'll see if we can give it a try next year (now I know we have a female in the group)! |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 16, 2015 22:09:50 GMT
Mate, I totally recommend doing it, but be prepared to learn a hell of a lot, and spend oodles of time with them. You are more than welcome to pop over one day and see my set up. It's not brilliant or big, but I'm getting there. The kettle is always on Emergency services special? White with one sugar??? |
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Post by FFG on Jun 16, 2015 22:38:00 GMT
Ha ha thanks very much for the offer and a digestive biscuit?! Yes I will do some swatting up until then... I read a post earlier that said the parents had killed their babies. Also watched spring watch the other day and an owl fed its weakest baby live to the others.. Not sure I could cope with any of that?! |
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Post by Budgies Retreat on Jun 16, 2015 22:54:23 GMT
It sadly can happen, usually in the first week - 10 days. When Mim had two hatch (Arnie and the second) that chick died after about 5 days, however I think that was down to the age difference between the two chicks, and that Arnie could see and walk around, whereas the second was still blind and had less movement, and so Arnie was able to get fed first. Inexperienced hens will sometimes kill their chicks, and it is a debateable subject as to exactly why. Some hens will only go so far as to plucking the chicks, but again this can lead to death. It was a sad moment finding that dead chick, and no doubt as I progress I'll see more, hopefully not of course, but it has to be expected.
In the wild I totally accept that an owl or similar will kill the weakest chick and concentrate more on the stronger ones, simply to protect herself and the remaining chicks.
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 16, 2015 23:18:31 GMT
Where in Hampshire are you out of interest?! Will you ever breed and sell? Just wondering for the future as id love a little boy budgie at some point |
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Post by mintysowner on Jun 16, 2015 23:19:58 GMT
Oh my gosh, how precious!!! If you ever need a Nanny to 'bird sit'... I'm not that far away I might just take you up on that mintysowner! I only have 14
I was handling the chick from about 2 weeks old, just holding a finger near to it each time I put fresh food in the nest, and gradually it has gotten used to me entering the nest. Mildred has never once bitten me. She nibbles ever so lightly.
This is the funny bit. Every time before I open the nest box door, I give it a couple of taps so as not to startle them inside. This evening I was out with them, with chicky on my hand, and I thought that I wanted a photo, so had to put him back inside to get the missus to come and take some photos. I closed the nest box door, and little chicky started tapping the inside of the door, just like I do. So I opened it up and he was straight out onto my hand. I was rolling up.
This beauty may just be a house bird once he's fledged. Just got to convince the wife due to the father-in-law's health.
I've got space for a house bird |
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Post by suesbird on Jun 17, 2015 7:50:12 GMT
He's like a little mini-me with mum, absolutely gorgeous, shame I am not allowed any more.  I have promised that there will be no more. My two are really happy together and I don't want to spoil it. |
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Post by budgiefriend on Jun 17, 2015 13:42:03 GMT
Such a handsome little guy. What will you name him?
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Post by jellybean on Jun 17, 2015 14:19:13 GMT
What an adorable little bird, do you know the sex yet Darren? What a great Mum Mildred has been, her and the baby are like two peas in a pod |
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Nom nom 
