I think Brat & Ricco stopping feeding the 5 kids....

[Babs _Owner]

I've got a good view of their cage from my office chair. I have not heard them feeding, nor seen them go into the nest all day.

They have tons of millet, seed and a half of a boiled mashed egg. Kids are very close to fledging. I dont think they are going to feed from me now.

Should I pull them? Or am I jumping too soon? I pulled one baby out and it didn't seem thin.........not YET anyway. This may not end well.

Babies are 22 days old.......could the parents be trying to get them to come out of the nest? Oh this is awful........

[Babs _Owner]

I don't have too much time for deliberation. Starvation is an issue now. So I decided to make a bold move.

The kids have been pulled from the original nest (all crops empty), I fashioned a new nest and placed the babies in it on the shelf with half a band aide box. ALL the food, and I mean ALL of it in the cage (even the boiled and mashed egg you cant see) is on the shelf surrounding their youngsters (who obviously in the picture are very shy).

If Brat and Ricco wanna get to their food, they are gonna have to hear and reach over their babies as they cry for food . Let's see if they can resist the cries right up in the FACES of their babies when they eat.

Tough love in this house tonight. They are gonna feed those babies. I did this with CackleJax, and it worked last year. Wish us luck (especially the babies).

[lovezebs]

Babs

What on earth?

I'd give the kids a quick feed, to give them the energy to beg loudly. If the babies are too weak to beg, the parents will just ignore them Babs

[debbie276]

So sorry this is happening, best of luck

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs debbie276

Im mixing up formula as I type. The kids are getting pretty ticked off. And Brat & Ricco are trying to figure out how to get to their food.

Its a stand off. Ill type back in a few minutes to tell you if they take the bottle. I've reset the lighting on that side to stay up another two hours.

[Babs _Owner]

debbie276 lovezebs

Come hell or high water, those babies are gonna make it. I dont care if I dont sleep tonight.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Just give them a really good feeding Babsi, they should be ok until morning if well fed.

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs debbie276

Okay, for the night the kids are "out of the woods". Was able to pry open beaks on all five. They have about 2/3 ml in each crop. Noone aspirated (although they are not happy with me). That should get them through the night.

Lets see if the "family" kicks it in gear in the morning. Im setting my alarm an hour early (two hours before work). There is going to be an absolute BUFFET behind that nest. Im pulling every egg, veggie, and sprinkling millet on it ALL. Mom and dad will hopefully give in, and share. These two really need to complete this on their own (like their last one). I've been babysitting for enough little ones this first season.

Brat was SOOOO good with her last offspring, I think she's just having trouble "multitasking" with multiples. Im going to make it very easy for her to feed and share.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Sometimes they just need a little wake up call. Let's hope the morning's yelling and screaming, will kick things back into gear (just don't yell and scream too loudly.... ).

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Oh my dear friend, Brat is b--ching at me, and I am b--ching at her. We already exchanged not so friendly words. I think she will be reborn a Celt. She's a spit-fire, and shes NOT happy I am playing with the kids (while shes starving them).

I am hoping that instinct, in itself, is gonna motivate her cranky tail.

By noon tomorrow I see either two outcomes, Those kids leap out into her FACE to be fed (and will be), or I do another force-feed and they go into the cage with "orphan" (her living baby who LOVES LOVES LOVES to teach little ones), and I spot feed them til weaned.

OMG Brats one baby (hasnt moulted) is soooooooo gentle with the babies. She even spits up for them if they get too loud.

Which is why I was so shocked Brat didnt do well on this clutch. Ahh well, I need to figure out what Brat needs.

[lovezebs]

Babs

A kick up her fuzzy feathered butt!!!

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Didnt we all KNOW one of these girls in High School? She is so bratty. she b--ches when I lay her egg food out in the morning.


Ill keep you updated. So far, no feedings. but its almost 11 and I have to get to be for my job in the morning.

Bubba is breaking out his binoculars for the day shift ;)

[lovezebs]

Babs

Get some sleep

[Babs _Owner]

debbie276 lovezebs

I got out all the food..eggs in overdrive around their nest this morning
Kids were yelling up a storm. Success! Brat and ricco are both feeding them! I am thrilled it worked! Omg what a relief

[debbie276]

Wonderful news!
Hope it continues