Eggs have hatched and need a bit of advice

Dennison · New Member Joined: Jul 10, 2013 Posts: 4

Hello, a brief introduction before going in to detail about my questions. Basically my Grandad has had 2 pairs of Kakariki's for around 2 years and I have taken a big interest in them without getting too hands on. Unfortunately my Grandad passed away 2 weeks ago and I'm now looking after the birds, around a week ago one of the Hen's eggs started hatching and now there are 2 chicks who are around a week old ( I don't want to disturb the Hen and chicks too much, but they look healthy and have started to grow feathers I think).

My questions are, what should I be doing and what shouldn't I be doing (any advice is very much appreciated). I know that after 3 weeks I should start to put another nesting box within the cage to ensure the Hen doesn't start another batch within the same nesting box. But, currently the birds are eating a mix of food including seeds, should I be putting in any protein with the chicks (i.e. old meat bones) and should I put them within the nesting box or with the main food, also should the food be cut up or let the cock sort that out.

I have read about many old topics and learned some things, but would just appreciate any information as I don't live where the birds are kept, so can't be there 12 hours a day.

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

Get the 2nd nest box in ASAP
A seed tray about 600mm Lx 250mm wide x 150mm deep approx 1/3 full will supply them seed for a couple weeks
If u dont have rodents... so scatter a bit mouse rat bait around the avairies... outside....VERY important maintenance

Diet... read the thread if have not already done so "what do u feed...."

Protein is essential espec up to breeding , thru breeding...
Again in the thread above.... chopped up chicken bones/ left over meat etc from dinner table etc...
Feed fruit ... 1/2 a kiwifruit and 1/2 apple alternate days
Feed , or keep the veggies, meat, fruit in separate containers.
After a while u will get a feel as to how much to feed of each with only a little wastage...

So lets say u are visiting every 2 days...
1 1/2 to 2 good handfulls of chopped veggies
2x 1/4s of apple same with kiwifruit
3/4 handfull of chopped cooked chicken bones and meat
Clean out the water/ bath trays .
Water trays. ours are plastic trays about 600 Lx 250 W and approx 50 D

Hope this helps...

Dennison · New Member Joined: Jul 10, 2013 Posts: 4

Thank you very much for that help, is invaluable and helps me with what to do and not do Applause