It's been a while since I updated you on the bird room! I'm pleased to say there are MORE babies.
Having successfully raised three chicks on her own after the father died, Sunny began another clutch. She laid five eggs in total. I first I tried fostering under Venus, but after a few hours Venus obviously decided she didn't like it and promptly used it as breakfast!
So, Sunny incubated four for a couple of weeks and the first hatched last week. I candled the two remaining earlier today and they were clear so I threw them out, leaving her with two chicks.
I'm actually kind of glad about this. Raising chicks is a strain on the body for any birdie parents, let alone a single mum who has to incubate, brood, feed and make time for herself too. Four chicks would have been just too many. With two, there's a much better hope of a positive outcome for all concerned.
As soon as she's finished, I'll be removing the nestboxes from the flight and letting her rest for the remainder of the year. I'm also heading to the Bird Keepers' Association show on Sunday 18th February in hopes of buying some more budgies..and possibly finches too!
Thanks for reading,
Geoff
