pretty girl

[kimhosken]

the fourth baby hatch on Monday i have had to feed she does not feed at all i feed every hour and put it back in the nest i feed until 11.30pm then i go to bed in the morning its crop is empty the others are all full does anyone know why she wont feed the fourth baby here a pic of the baby.http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/kimhosken/S4021811.jpg

[budgerigar]

Some maiden hens neglect young chicks. Has she bred before?

The chick is very white, not a good sign. Make sure the hen keeps it warm. It could possibly be a runt and the hen is neglecting it for that reason. Did it hatch too early?
Warmth and food are the main things needed.

[kimhosken]

she had a clutch before but only one hatched.it hatched on time.

[Budgiebreeder11]

Like we discussed the last chick is the smallest and doesn't fight for its food. The parents will only feed the strong chicks. If the last chick is too small it is often seen as weak and wont be fed.

[kimhosken]

thank you for the advise

[Guthwulf]

It does look pale, and this may be either the reason the hen isnt feeding it, or a result of the hen not feeding it.

I have often heard it suggested that you put a drop of olive oil (pretty sure its olive oil) into the chicks beak and this should restore its colour and vigour. The best you can do is continue feeding the chick until it rallies and is strong enough to demand food from the hen, or until it dies (which may happen).

Hope there is a good outcome. Keep us updated.

[Dannii]

If the hen is feeding the others and ignoring this poor little guy, then I would advise you continue feeding it and not just wait for the hen to do it. Like the others have said, it's pretty white looking so I wouldn't be taking any chances :)

Also is there anything else you can do to keep it warm?

[pal0m1n0]

How big a gap is there between that chick and the last one before it? I found that there was a big gap and lost one chick because I didn't realize it wasn't being fed (it lasted about a day). When the next arrived I removed the older chicks for an hour or two at a time and put them with the father, she then started feeding the smaller and after a couple of days, it had grown enough and was strong enough to keep up with the bigger two so they were all back together after that. I think she may just have not seen it, it was so small by comparison.

[Budgiekin]

I think you've been given some great advice. I'm hoping the little chick will have a favourable outcome. My fingers are crossed!

How is everything going now?

[Guthwulf]

The other thing to do is place food in the nest box. Millet, seeds, and/or oats. Lots of it :) Make it easier for mum to find food and she may just feel that feeding them all is easy.

[kimhosken]

thank for all the advise i have tried to remove the two older chicks for an hour and she still does not feed it so i am continuing to feed myself.here a pic i took today it grows slowlyhttp://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/kimhosken/S4021816.jpg
the honey did the trick the mother started feeding ithttp://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/kimhosken/S4021828.jpgthe baby is doing well now that its mom is feeding it here's a pic of him with the oldest chickhttp://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll228/kimhosken/S4021852.jpg

[Budgietom]

I'm glad things are going well :) Good luck.

[kimhosken]

thank you i hope it lives

[Guthwulf]

Have you tried the oil or seed/food in the box? Baby still looks too pale and small for my liking. Good luck!

[budgerigar]

The mother is neglecting it because it is pale. Dean I know 1 drop of honey or calcivet/avi-cal to the beak is excellent. Its basically an energy boost.

[kimhosken]

thank you i will try that

[Guthwulf]

That is true pearce, although i think the reasoning behind the drop of oil may have something to do with essential fatty acids or something besides instant energy from glucose. Pale chicks appear to have some sort of metabolic deficiency that is fatal unless treated quickly. I personally believe it has something to do with the egg yolk and either how fast or slow the chick hatched. Since the yolk is mostly proteins and fats, i tend to think this is why the oil is used as it too is mostly fats.

[Budgiekin]

I am definitely still rooting for this little fella! Great advice Dean and Pearce. ;)

[nicmarly]

oh i so hope your baby makes it i really feel for you, i have had a clutch of five and the hen didnt feed any and unfortunatly i dont know how to feed chicks so small so good luck n icmarly

[FrankieGomez]

Wow ahhhhh they are very beautiful hope everything goes well please keep us updated on him.

[mychemicalworld]

thats good news! keep updating us :)

[peepersbev]

I just love your budgie. so cute

[Mom2Holly]

it is good your caring him. He may be a runt and she just neglected her =(
congrats on the new birds! =)