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

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Indeed, this morning in the dark I mashed up a whole boiled egg, garnished with chopped kale, niger seeds and millet sprinkled all over it. Lights are on now and thats the first thing Brat & Ricco are piling into. They also have 3 very large stalks of millet on the shelf with their regular mixed seed right beside it.

All 5 kids are alive and much more calm this morning. The only one that troubles me is the Blue that still cowers in the nest. I wont bother them at all this morning so mom and dad can proceed with their morning feeding ritual without interruption.

But by the end of my work day at 5pm Im going to take a look at the Blue in the nest and make sure he's eating. Hard to see from my desk if he's being fed while hes so low in the nest.

And yes, you are right. Now that 3 of the kids are actively flying around, it may be almost impossible to force feed them. I will just keep an over abundance of egg and millet and hope Ricco and Brat keep going strong.

[slwatson]

Babs

You're doing such a great job! I hope the little blue can make it

[lovezebs]

Babs

Good luck sweetie.
If Blue is not being fed.... well, you know the drill. You may have to supplement feed, until he starts begging loud enough to be heard. I wonder if he's the youngest in this clutch (?) Is he the only blue in this batch of chickies?

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Hes 1 of 2 blues. The other is strong and flying. He seems the 2nd the to youngest. The youngest perches on the shelf beside the makeshift nest.

[lovezebs]

Babs

If he's not the youngest, then I would keep a very close eye on him, Babsi. The youngest (as you know), will sometimes linger in the nest a wee while longer, etc. If the youngest, is already out and about and this one isn't .... I would watch him carefully. Could be just a timid chick, could be something not quite right.

I would place some millet in the nest beside him, and also a slice of cucumber (for moisture ).

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Yes, he's very fearful and laying flat if I come close. I really want to get in there, but Im glued to answering calls now. All the food surrounds the nest on the shelf.

I wish I had some cucumber. Ugh. Thats a great option for giving them moisture.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Like I said, could be just a shy pie.
Shoot, I have three large cucumbers in the fridge, send Bubba over

You could try a leafy green with a few water drops on it.

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

On break I will throw in a wet kale leaf. Great idea!

[lovezebs]

Babs

How are things going?

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Good morning. I went to bed early last night. Was pooped from the long work week. When I checked the blue last night he had plenty of meat on his bones, so it would appear Cranky & Horndog are doing their job. I just woke up about an hour ago to get the boiled egg in everyone's cage and all the kids are alive. Now the 2nd blue has finally fledged. Ill get some shots of the family when I completely wake up.

I'm noticing the kids are not chasing their parents anymore, so mom & dad must be giving them their feedings in a timely fashion. The kids are scattered about the flight cage preening themselves, picking at millet and being calm.

I havent forgotten the cucumber, I'm going to check in a bit to see if Bill remembered to bring one home. Right now Im going to sit here by the computer and nurse a few cups of coffee.

[Babs _Owner]

slwatson lovezebs debbie276

Heres the family. Couldnt get all the kids on one shot. I kept the camera outside the cage so I dont spook the kiddies. All the seed, millet, water and boiled egg are piled in one area on that shelf. That way the family will eat together in one space and hopefully get the kids picking at all the food and weaned faster.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Good morning!
Very happy to hear that all the kids are out and about. If they are active, preening, snacking and calm, then all is well in the world.

Why are you at the computer this morning, drinking buckets of coffee ? Last I checked, it was Saturday..... you know, WEEKEND!!! Time to kick up your heels, take a nice walk, smell the proverbial roses do some thing unheard of, like RELAX......

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Ha!! You know I never relax when I worry about babies! I have to admit, eventhough I get up early for work during the week, I am seriously not a morning person.

I woke up at 2am in a panic having dreamt I accidently left the boiled egg in Brat's cage last night. I ran downstairs to check and went back to bed....didnt sleep very well after that. I'm just a hot mess in the morning.

Bill forgot the cucumber

[lovezebs]

Babs

The babies sound like their doing fine, not so sure about you though, lol.

The cucumber is not a must, unless you have a chick who is not mobile, and possibly not getting fed by the parents. At the moment, it sounds like everyone is getting around, and being fed, so I think you can forgive Bill for his memory lapse.