Some of my baby budgies died...why?

Question

Out of my nine baby budgies, four of them have died! I dont know why. They were perfectly healthy and normal looking like the other babies and when they were around 2-3 days old they died. Am I doing something wrong or is it normal for some of the babies to die?

Answer 1

Is this your hen's first clutch? Are all 9 babies from the same nest?

Sometimes when a hen is raising her first clutch she just doesn't know what to do. Some babies don't get enough food, or any food at all.

You need to check the chicks to make sure they have a full crop (area between their neck and stomach). It should be big and round and you can actually see food in there when they have just been given a good feed by the hen and are stuffed full.

If all 9 were from the same nest it can sometimes be a case of the hen can't keep up with feeding 9 young. The biggest and the loudest will be fed, and the rest will be left to starve to death. It really is a case of survival of the fittest.

Also if they are all from the same nest, check to see if the male is going into the nest box as well. Some males do to feed the hen, some stay just outside the box. If there are 9 babies and 2 adults (this can also be a problem with smaller clutches) then chances are a few can get trampled to death.

The crops are the main thing to look at though. Baby birds don't need to be fed for the first 24 hours or so after hatching, which may explain why they are dying at 2-3 days old...they are fine for the first day, then starve.

Check the crop. If any have empty crops leave them for an hour or so and check them again. If they are still empty you will need to pull them or hand feeding.

Read up all you can on hand feeding. While with any luck you won't have to do it, but anyone and *everyone* breeding birds should know how to do it in an emergency.

Answer 2

The less you disturb your birds when they have eggs hatching the better off the babies will live. Some parents get affraid for the baby's lives and will kill them if they feel you are going to get to them.  And with all that do hatch you have got to understand only the strong will survive. It is always a toss up wether a bird at all will live to 8 weeks old from birth.  

Answer 3

Are you feeding any soft food. I am sure if you will look in a parakeet book that there will be several good recipes.

Sounds like inexperienced breeders, sometimes it takes a few rounds before they know what to do. Sometimes it takes a few breeding seasons before they learn. Others do well from the very beginning.  I have found that a lack of soft food can make a big difference.  Keets can raise babies with no special food. They can raise very nice babies if fed supplemental soft food.  

All parakeets don't make good breeders. If you get 40% good breeders you are doing well.