Baby Budgies Day 1

While we were touring Mr. Taylors Aviary. He told me he had a problem. He had lost a momma parakeet and had 6 orphaned baby's that were 2 days to 2 weeks old. He asked me if I was a experienced hand feeder. I kind of giggled...Yes I was experienced. I had about 7 or 8 years and countless baby's under my belt. Of course I'd love to have them.

Problem was, I had no equipment to do it with. He loaned me a heating padand gave me a eye dropper and some formula. I didn't hold out much hope forthe smallest chick. It was cold and weak. Poor little guy didn't survive the trip home. When we got home, I set up a make shift brooder. I cut a milk jugin half and lined it with paper towels I placed it on the heating pad set on low and covered it with a hand towel. I put the cold clutch of 5 in there to warm up. I checked then every few minutes to make sure they were warming up but not getting to hot.

While they were warming up I set up the nursery and feeding station. Which is my kitchen counter and table. I sterilized the glass eye dropper and readied everything for the first feeding. I checked the babies, they were warming up and hungry, but not warm enough to feed yet. Never feed a cold chick. They need to be nice and warm so their digestive track will work properly.

While I was letting them warm up I introduced the cockatiels to their new home. Its a big cage about 5 ft square. Its hanging on my back deck. They have a beautiful thick honey suckle on the right and a nice grape vine infront.

Next I checked the budgies and they were ready to feed. It has been 9 years since I last hand feed anything. I read over the mixing instructions and I remembered everything like it was yesterday. They were all hungry and feeding them was easy. The last feeding before I went to bed was at 11:00 pm. I woke up at 2 am to feed again. Next feeding was 6:00 am. Their crops are emptying between feeding very nicely. I fed again about 9:00 am. I'll check them again about 2 1/2 hours. They are doing great so far.