Sky and Dede are mating again

[Debbie05]

Sky and Dede have 4 babies. They are 21,16, 14 and 12 days old. They continued to mate untill the last egg was layed and stopped and have been taking care of the babies. The last 2 days I have caught them mating again. I am worried she will lay more eggs in 7 or 8 days and the babies will not be old enough. HELP? What should I do? Isn't it a little early to be mating again?

[SpickyDavies]

she'll want to get onto her second round, so watch out for around this time to be plucking the chicks

[Debbie05]

So I'll have to start hand feeding?

[SpickyDavies]

So I'll have to start hand feeding?

no, not all
when the youngest is 28 days old you can remove them from the nest box and place in chick hide on the floor, dad will feed them
this is when you can decide if you want her to have second round or remove the nestbox

chick hide-
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o138/barrieshutt/barries%20budgies%20one/budgiesmarch18th08029.jpg?t=1214027514

i have a different looking one

[Debbie05]

Well thanks a lot I was wondering but haven't been able to find any info on it. I was going to let her have a second round but that is it. So what do I do to stop the breeding after the second I tried covering them earlier and that doesn't seem to help. I really don't want to seperate them if I don't have to.

[SpickyDavies]

you'd just move the chicks into the chick hide, and remove the nestbox :) job done

[Debbie05]

Sorry to be a pest but what if she lays eggs before there ready to leave the nestbox? Can I move them 1 at a time or do I have to wait tell the youngest is 28 days?

[Tealc40]

Thanks for that info Spicky, we also have babies {6} and that info will be very helpful in 3 weeks.;) Good question Debbie you saved me asking:rolleyes: