Colleen
I have a pair of parakeets. The female has been laying eggs for months now. I was leaving the eggs with her figuring the male was too young to breed her and the eggs would be duds. I don't like when the females lay eggs because 1) it's such a drain on them and 2) there's always a risk they can become egg bound and die. Leaving the eggs keeps them from laying more for a while. So on the last clutch, I did the same as always and left the eggs. Well last night I was putting the dogs outside and I thought I heard peep, peep, peep, coming from the parakeet's cage. I never expected to see this little one though. He/she was actually under the barred cage floor in the dropping tray as he/she had fallen through the divider between cage and drop tray. It's momma was over it trying to cover it to keep it warm. She had her body pressed down into the divider trying to get to him/her. So, I got him/her out and into a box and put the rest of the eggs into it. He's/she's doing good today and she is being an excellent momma. It took daddy a little bit to understand what the pink peeping thing was but now he's settling in and has become protective over the box with momma and baby in it. He was even feeding momma earlier so she did not have to leave the baby. It's amazing to see how fast instinct has kicked in for these birds who are parents for the first time. Most especially the male who is only about 7 or 8 months old I'm guessing. Still can't believe he was old enough for this. If it turns out that no other chicks hatch, I'm calling this one Solo. : )
Daddy
Momma
Dinner
38 Answers (1-30 Displayed)
Chiangmai
The moral of the story is: You're never too young to be a daddy-parakeetie?
| 12 years ago. Rating: 26 | |
Thanks. :)
carmaxable
michmar118
PEOPLELOVER
Well done Mummy Budgie and Mummy Colleen.
You do know of course the correct name for your "parakeets" is Australian Budgerigar? budge-er-e-gar.
Of course you do you are Colleen.
The natural colour of budgies (affectionate name) is green, the variety of colours have came about by breeders.
In the wild they are sometimes called Green Grass Parrots.
Budgies frequent large parts of Australia and I have seen flocks of thousands. I like the Solo name but Aussie is good too.
If the second egg has not hatched in 2 to 3 days it is not going too.
Again congratulations to the four of you.
As for daddy doing the job so young we Aussies are a virile lot.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 24 | |
No connection at all with a Budgie.
You gave me a real giggle with that answer, Alf what a weird name for anyone let alone a poor baby bird.
Ducky
FISH-O
facebook
Lovely ! now you have another one to take care of !!!! Make sure the daddy don't get jealous and attack the baby.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 23 | |
JDB
Mr.Den
dwayne1716
eggplant
doolittle
Colleen- You saved little "solo" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Little one would have never been warm enough- plus all babies need to be in direct contact with their mommies! (Even fleas! right Romos?!) Many birds are in contact with their mom's and dad's... not sure about parakeets. Well done, my friend!
PS CONGRATS on the 400+K !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You Rule!
| 12 years ago. Rating: 21 | |
lambshank
country bumpkin
Jenn
Ed1530
daren1
Ann
lewboy
Congratulations Colleen. by the way just read your blog, very imformative and very honest, thank you for an interesting read.
Once again congrats on the new born.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 17 | |
Chain, just click on the blog link at the bottom of this page.
CHAIN
Colleen, they're so cute-ish, keep the pictures please for when they are fluffy. You are so sweet.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 16 | |
clu
itsmee
Cute story. I had a Parakeet when I was a teenager. Every time I picked him up I felt like I was holding a miracle. He looked all cold feathery but when I held him in my hands he was all warm and heart beating. Congratulations are in order for the addition to your household.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 15 | |
<wink> Tell them I'm kidding. LOL!!!
Colleen
jhharlan
Headless Man
Can we call you "bird woman of aka".......?
| 12 years ago. Rating: 14 | |
valR
Dollybird
Fantastic photo of "feeding time"
I had a budgie that could say "Twinkle twinkle little star , I`m a little budgerigar" He would also "wolf whistle"
To teach Solo to talk you will need to take him away from the other birds when he is fully feathered and eating on his own. That is if he is a he and not a she, shes rarely learn to imitate our voice.
He must not be in the same room as the parents as they will disrupt his "learning"
Teach him "AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI " just spend hours saying it over and over to him.
| 12 years ago. Rating: 13 | |
ClevelandRick
Congratulations Colleen, that takes me back about 30 years ago when I got my self a parakeet (a new born) before as it turned out (she) had feathers and boy did I fall in love with that bird,taught her so many tricks.My 1st wife did'nt like the ideal that I kept her out of the cage most of the time (being that I just got out of a cage my self and I could'nt stand to see any thing caged ( I did clean up after her every day.Any how to make a long story short I got rid of the wife and kept the parakeet (Blue),any how after about two year's and finding she was a she I decided to get another one (also a new born) in hopes it was a male and it was so 6 months later I got a nesting box but to my demise the 1st egg she was going to lay got stuck and she died,I was crushed so much so I gave the male away I layed her to rest in that nesting box wrapped in my best bandana and cried for days,after all these years I still think of her often she and I were quite the team and after hearing your story makes me happy and wanting to try it again,wonder how the 2nd wife will take it...
| 12 years ago. Rating: 11 | |
