5 Lovebird chicks in need of help - Sydney, Australia

[Hudzy]

Our pair of lovebirds have 5 chicks, only just 3 weeks old and the mum has started plucking out their feathers. This happened with the first clutch too. We rescued those 3 and raised them by hand. Just can't do it again. Do you know of a breeder in Sydney that would take the chicks and hand raise them ? I would also let the mum and dad go, as they mate continually and would be better suited to a breeder than just a pet owner. Very Sad. Hudzy

[birdlady49]

Remove the hen from the cage and let the cock feed the babies if you're sure it's the hen who's plucking the babies. Cage the hen by herself.

[Courtzrocks]

Call Ian Adcock on 0429 899 932 he is a breeder and has people that handraise birds for him.

[Hudzy]

Thanks guys for the advice. I took the hen out and dad seems to have been doing a great job until this morning I've noticed blood on his beak, so i think he's plucking them too. Looks like we are just going to have to hand feed them.
I called Ian, thanks for his number. He lives up on the QLD border so too far away to give practical help, but gave me details of an avian vet nearby who was able to give me some do's and don'ts.
This won't be quite the quiet Christmas holiday we had planned.
Thanks again for the support.
Merry Christmas !