Help with Burke Parrots

[Laraine]

I am very disappointed, my 3 quite big baby Burke parrots have all died. This is the first year I have had babies and the same pair had the first 3 babies die in early October. I have decided to not let them rear any more and will give them to another bird to rear in future. Can anyone shed any light, is this a Burke Parrot problem? The last babies were about 3 weeks old.

[Jane]

I'm sorry Laraine

I bred some bourkes last year and the only problems was after the 2nd clutch I took the box away and the hen got stroppy and bit some toes off the fledglings. I didn't breed any this year as I was given heaps and still have 11 and no one wants to buy any up here.

My suggestions would be did they stop feeding them? I'm not sure if you had time to check them daily but maybe the parents got bored feeding them and stopped feeding? Were they damaged in any way? If the hen was keen to go down again she may have attacked, my scarlet hen plucked 2 clutches this year at that age.

[avril]

The males will sometimes harass the hens during the breeding season, and care should be taken to see that she is not bullied.

If you have lovebirds they will foster the eggs for you with no problems.

[vankarhi]

oh that is terrible Laraine

[grego]

Sorry to hear Laraine...
I had a pair of cokatiels that kept on deserting there yound at 2 weeks of age??
Found the male harassing the female to mate again so when they layed eggs l placed dummies in there for one season.Then the next season l got the White one which has now babies...

[luisa]

That wasn't a good new, sorry It could be very sad. I also this month had bay cokatiels (4) and as they were new bornig parents didn't have diner them and by next day they were died. it was on jan, 12 today parents have 4 eggs again I hope this time they won't want to lay in so short time. And aldo I'm going to be very gusibecause I have to handfeed new born (this I hope will not hapend because I don't have a lot time to do it.)

[vankarhi]

hopefully luisa your cockatiels will feed the babies properly this time. Cockatiels are not hard to feed.........although I have never fed them from the very little babies. I usually get them around 3 weeks then raise them.

[luisa]

but if parents don't feed them? I must feed them.

[vankarhi]

yes but was it their first lot of babies? Maybe next time they might be better. Just keep a very close eye on them when they hatch and maybe you will not have to feed the babies.

[luisa]

Hen was 2nd. the other male died so I had to buy an other and with this one is the first (actually second they hay (since yesterday) 6 eggs and they are going to born on february 6TH I hope now they feed them bacause I dont have a lot of time to do that

[Jane]

Good Luck, most birds are good parents you'll be okay

[vankarhi]

fingers crossed for you Luisa

[silvercloud]

I hope everything goes well Luisa.

[luisa]

Me too, thanks

[lynette]

Hi All,

I just joined this forum today. I am very new to breeding (this is my first season)

My little Rosa Bourkes had four little healthy babies, they all now have their eyes open and starting to wiggle around the box. All is looking good, parents happily feeding and looking after them.

I have been getting advice from Kellyville pets about breeding and was told I could take a couple from the nest at about 14 days (eyes open), to hand raise.

Well today is that day, I have taken two babies from the nest and set them up inside (about 1 hour ago), but now I am starting to panic that I may do it all wrong and they might die.

I have just given them their first feed of Neocare from the pet store and they seemed to accept it quite well, even putting their little beaks up to take it in. They are now settled back in their box and having a sleep.

Even though it all seems to be going well I just am really worried I have done the wrong thing and really am contemplating putting them back with their parents, as they have only been gone 1 hour.

What does everybody think! I have many years experience on farms raising orphaned sheep, goats and foals and have to giggle a bit that these birds are causing me so much anxiety.

Thanks in advance
Lynette

[avinet]

Hi Lynette

Bourke parrots aren't too hard to hand raise, but from my experience with them they don't make particularly good pet birds. They tend to be quite dis-interested in people - sooner sit on top of a bookcase doing their own thing than sitting on a shoulder interacting with people.

If you do continue hand rearing, then it is important to be able to keep them warm - so you need a suitable brooder which you can control the temperature quite accurately. Alternatively if you decide to put them back tonight then the parents will probably accept them without problems - just keep an eye on them through tomorrow to make sure they get fed OK. Bourkes are generally good parents so there shouldn't be a problem.

If you do continue feeding then Neocare is fine to use. There are harder babies than Bourkes to gain experience in hand rearing, but I would suggest that it is best tackled if you have an experienced hand rearer you can consult who can give you on-the-spot advice. It is one of those things that a live demonstration is worth a thousand words.

And speaking of words, have a read of the information on hand rearing I wrote at www.mooloolabapets.com.au/html/hand_rearing_baby_birds.html - it covers such topics as correct temperature, weaning etc.

cheers,

Mike