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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Jan 31, 2022 17:44:00 GMT
You are being so careful with these babies - great! someone will be on who can answer your questions. Nugget and Bumblw will be such good pets because they are learning that hands are good and not to be feared.
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Jan 31, 2022 20:01:44 GMT
Tweetiepiesrmom I won’t lie, although I’m also nervous and I wouldn’t take the risk on purpose I do love having chicks. Also their mum is probably the most funny and friendly hen I’ve ever had so I kind of love that she’s passing on her genes, as it were.
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Post by Hezz on Feb 1, 2022 0:42:25 GMT
Watch mum very carefully in case she starts to pluck again, but good news so far. Fingers crossed. If I do end up having to hand feed them, at this age do I need to boil/sterilise water, or is tap water fine if it’s the right temperature? And do I need to actually sterilise spoons and bowls, or is washing them really well enough? i won’t do it if I don’t have to but I want to make sure I don’t have to look for info in a panic. I’m not too sure about that, so I’d err on the side of caution and do so anyway. generally anything that has gone through a dishwasher is considered sterile enough, and at this age you shouldn’t be needing to warm their food, but do make sure it is room temp. I use boiled water anyway for the birds’ water, it’s an easy thing to do with there usually being some sitting in the kettle anyway.
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Post by Hezz on Feb 1, 2022 0:48:01 GMT
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Feb 1, 2022 18:25:14 GMT
37 and 39 grams today, so not as big a jump as previous days, but no plucking and they are clearly stronger and livelier than before. I did try to do a feed but it… didn’t go well. They tried a tiny bit but I was sooo nervous about the temperature, and wether I should be sterilising everything etc. I will try again tomorrow.
No photos because I got stressed with the feeding attempt. They are trying to perch on my fingers and on the millet! Nugget is for sure the more bossy one.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Feb 1, 2022 20:37:38 GMT
It all sounds great! I've read that if you get any food on them, wipe it off while its wet otherwise it dries like cement. Thought I'd just pass that along.
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Feb 1, 2022 22:36:46 GMT
If I do end up having to hand feed them, at this age do I need to boil/sterilise water, or is tap water fine if it’s the right temperature? And do I need to actually sterilise spoons and bowls, or is washing them really well enough? i won’t do it if I don’t have to but I want to make sure I don’t have to look for info in a panic. I’m not too sure about that, so I’d err on the side of caution and do so anyway. generally anything that has gone through a dishwasher is considered sterile enough, and at this age you shouldn’t be needing to warm their food, but do make sure it is room temp. I use boiled water anyway for the birds’ water, it’s an easy thing to do with there usually being some sitting in the kettle anyway. Sorry, just to make sure I understand… are you saying at this age, as long as the formula is around room temperature (not really cold or too hot) I don’t need to worry? Because today I was sticking the thermometer in every ten seconds lol thank you so much for all the help, I really appreciate it
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Post by Hezz on Feb 2, 2022 0:30:28 GMT
As long as the formula doesn’t get too thick, the temperature becomes less important as the chick matures. If too thick they may not be able to digest it. Are there no instructions on the packaging to help? I would aim for around the same as a budgie’s core body temp of 40-41oC.
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Feb 2, 2022 7:56:07 GMT
No it just says lukewarm. I knew about the formula needing to be around 40degrees, from reading up about it. But that’s not room temperature, and I was worrying if it cools down to room temperature (or under body temperature, say 30 degrees?) it would be indigestible for them.
The formula I have is Versele Laga Nutribird Hand is, which I’d heard good things about. I could order a different one if needed?
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Feb 2, 2022 12:56:35 GMT
39 and 41 grams today
Look at all our pretty feathers
Nugget has a really strong grip and keeps trying to perch. He is the youngest sibling. Bumble is more relaxed, he is less keen to perch and more keen to walk up my arm and on my shirt.
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Feb 2, 2022 17:15:58 GMT
How adorable!!!
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Feb 2, 2022 19:37:41 GMT
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Post by tweetiepiesmom on Feb 2, 2022 19:57:29 GMT
Awwww, so cute! The little tail and wing feathers are coming in.
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Post by Hezz on Feb 3, 2022 0:59:00 GMT
Keeping the formula at body temp in the early days is very important, as you know, but perhaps a phone call to your vet would put your mind at ease. It is not something I have had to experience.
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Jan 29, 2022 14:46:52 GMT
pontikomama
Brand New Budgie
Posts: 27
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Post by pontikomama on Feb 4, 2022 15:05:25 GMT
Slightly better with the once a day feeding Today weights are 47 g for Nugget and 48 g for Bumble
Nugget is really closing the gap and I’m suspecting he will overtake Bumble in weight soon… also seems to have a fuller crop when I see him. But Bumble still does have a full crop, and is gaining weight and clearly developing. Keeping an eye on it but I’m suspecting/hoping it’s one of those things where the kids are just closer developmentally now and, we’ll, the little brother is just beefier and more active.
Will continue daily weighing and trying a supplemental feed on Bumble once a day (will try feeding Nugget too after a few days, but he just turned two weeks so I’m not in a rush)
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