Lovebird babies abused by parents

[lovepug]

I have lovebird parents who have 4 babies that are 4-5 weeks old. The parents are picking on them & every time a baby tries to come out of the nest box the parents viciously attack them. I tried taking them out & placing them on the perch but the abuse was worse. I do not have the time to handfeed, any suggestions?

[wingshawn]

Hi,
I have a suggestion for you. Can you feed them for at least a week or 2 and then advertise to sell them and in that time put them on softened seed, water, and frozen peas/carrots or corn? That would be the simplest way because of your busy schedule

Question? Have these parents done this before or are they new to you and this is their first clutch? Because if they have they need to be seperated or you need to place them into advertisement for sale as well. Hope this helps! Good luck Shawn

P.S. They won't stop breeding, believe me!

[birdcrazed]

I'd get them away from the parents before they get hurt or killed. Check area breeders, rescue groups, pet shops or ANYONE who can keep them safe and finish feeding them for you.

I have a pair of lovebirds that would do nothing but breed if I let them. The female constantly laid eggs. She also became very aggressive to the male and would drive him away from the food dishes. I got tired of her bullying behavior and now keep them in separate cages next to each other. They are calmer and doing much better.


You might check with the About.com/Birds forum and post your question there. Alot of people with lovebirds in your area of the country post there.

Good luck

[singing_wings]

At 4-5 weeks old they should be close to being weaned. Most Lovebirds wean at 6-8 weeks old. They would only require about 3-2 feedings (5-10cc's each) a day at 5-6 weeks old. If you can not handfed them I would look for someone that can. By attacking the babies...you mean..? Are they just keeping them in their place or actualy injuring them? They should actualy be starting to nibble seed and exploring new foods at 6 weeks. So if the parents continue to not let them out of the box are they still feeding them? If not you need to seperate the babies into their own cage with water & seed, veggies, etc. while you handfeed them in morning, midday if possible and night before they go to sleep.

This is a risk you take when breeding birds and if you can not take care of problems with babies when they arise then the birds should not be bred. Not tring to be mean but now you are in between and rock and a hard place are you not..? What are you planning on doing with the babies if they are not handfed? Most people do not want an untame lovebird unless they are breeders. Do you have the space & time to keep the babies if no one wants them?