Plucked babies?

[SissyCool]

If you are on the national cockatiel society facebook, you'll have seen this already...but I'm looking for as many opinions and as much advice as I can get...
And I'm really not sure what all I should include or whatever. But here's the absolute basics...
I have a pair of cockatiels. I rescued them about 2 years ago from a person who was allowing them to have a clutch every 3 months...and I knew that was really bad for them.
Since I've had them, I have allowed them to have 2 clutches...about 8 months apart. The babies from the first clutch I had (plus 1 youngster of theirs that came with them) all turned out quite well. I'll post the pictures at the bottom of this.
Anyway...I'm told by some that the parents are plucking the babies. But I've had another local breeder tell me that they're not...their babies are just slower to feather. NOW...I cannot handfeed. I'm just not mentally able (I'm terrified I will hurt them) I currently have 3 babies in the nest. They are 14, 16, and 18 days old. I have a lady who wants to take 2 to handfeed when they are around 3 weeks old. She says she has experience and accepts any risks...
I'm concerned what will happen to the baby left in the nest...and just everything really. I doubt I will let them have another clutch after this...I just am not good at dealing with this. ANYWAY...I probably left out important info...but I will answer any questions you guys might have. I just want opinions on what you all think. Are the parents plucking? Is that a really horrible thing if the babies are ultimately ok? Should I let 2 go to be handfed and will that cause problems for the remaining one if I do? Below are pics of the current babies in the nest and the young from the first clutch when they were around 8 months old...I really appreciate any information, advice, or opinion.. The 3 in one pic are the young from the first clutch when they were about 8 months old. The current babies are marked with their ages (the 14 day old wouldn't be still...so is a bit blurry) and the 2 birds (white one and gray one) are the parents...

[spiritbird]

Hi Sissy. I think you should check your state laws because selling birds that are not weaned is illegal. For good reason I might add. I truly think you should separate the two tiels so they do not have any more babies. For the chicks you have now can you find a breeder who is willing to come to your home or you theirs to teach you hand feeding? I know we have some members that breed birds but I am not one of them.
Or you could call your avian vet and see if someone there will instruct you. Good luck and I admire you for bringing this question to the forum.

[Mr Peepers]

I'm with spiritbird on this, I would call around and see if you can find a breeder who can help teach you how to hand feed. Call your local vet office, call pet shops as they are always in contact with breeders, check craigslist. It's really not difficult to hand feed once you see it done and have someone show you how.

If you really can't handle hand feeding then maybe try and find a breeder who will take the chicks from you so they can hand feed them. Anything is better then having the parents pluck them or harm the little birds.

Good luck. :th_smile:

[SissyCool]

Thanks guys. I have a lady who offered to take all 3 and handraise them for me. I guess that will be the best bet. I really appreciate your input :)

[Cedardave]

I think if you are unable to handle the handfeeding, then perhaps having someone experianced in handfeeding do it is the way to go.We are experianced breeders and the handfeeding does take some experiance to get right.I would not let your pair have a nestbox and would recommend seperate cages should they lay another cluch on the bottom of the cage.you can often still have birds that have bred live together in he same cage...just take away the things that could stimulate breeding.

[Mr Peepers]

Thanks guys. I have a lady who offered to take all 3 and handraise them for me. I guess that will be the best bet. I really appreciate your input :)



I'm glad you found someone to take care of the chicks for you.