My budgie laid eggs. What should I feed her after the chicks hatch?

Budgies will typically eat a portion of their own food, and then regurgitate it to the babies so it can be more easily digested by them. If the parents aren't feeding the babies, there are commercial baby bird foods available that when added to water, mix up into a slurry that is easy for the baby bird to digest (since we can't regurgitate to them!). As the babies grow and start to explore on their own, they will begin to eat the regular adult food as well.

Thanks for reaching out about Blue. The average incubation length for budgies is 14-16 days, once she starts sitting on the eggs. A thermostat regulated heat lamp can be used to regulate the temperature. If she is going into and out of the nest box, and has laid egg in the box, she is probably comfortable with the size, as long as it is large enough to rear the young. Regarding nutrition, a wide variety of vegetables and a plant protein source (legumes) is important to replace nutrients lost in laying eggs. Good luck

Feed a good quality pelleted diet (Harrison's, Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or Exact) supplemented with a fortified seed mix and fresh greens and vegetables. Provide a cuttlebone or mineral block. Always have fresh water available. Provide an appropriately sized nesting box and suitable nesting material (straw, Aspen shaving, shredded newspaper, etc.).

Thanks for reaching out about Sweety. Boiled rice is not a healthy diet, although small amounts won't do harm. Calcium and protein is very important for birds in general, but more so when laying eggs. Green (and yellow, red, orange) vegetables, avian pellets and cooked beans as a protein source should be offered. Not sure if or when will lay eggs but continue to monitor. Good luck.

If your budgie's parents are still around they will most likely care for them on their own. However if the parents aren't around or aren't caring for the babies properly, you will need to start feeding them yourself. Most pet stores will carry a basic baby bird food which has feeding instructions depending on your bird's age. You'll also need a syringe with which to mix and feed the food. As your bird grows you can start introducing an adult balanced diet to encourage them to begin eating more solid foods.

It is not unusual for all eggs from a clutch to not hatch. However, if your budgie actually broke the egg in order to eat it, then it may develop that habit and never raise a clutch again - instead eating all her future eggs. The egg itself is not bad for her and will not hurt her, but it is an undesirable trait for her to eat her eggs. Thank you for using pet coach.

Molting is a normal behavior where birds lose their old feathers and grow in new ones. Making sure Chicky is on a balanced diet for her species is a great way to ensure she has the right nutrition to regrow her feathers. Adding in a few extra fresh fruits and veggies, or even some egg food can also give a little extra protein and nutrients to help. Most birds will finish molting and have new feathers in after about a month.