How can I help them?

[QuackQuack]

Prior to getting married I was a hospice nurse. Someone who I know from back then is really going down hill and needed to place her lovebirds somewhere. They are not tame and are happy little pair who take good care of one another. I said sure I will take them and if a good home pops up then I will send them that way - no problem- since she isn't well enough to be screening and interviewing adoptees. Well, I went to get them today , and wouldn't you know it! They have a nest box with 8 eggs in there! They are tending them. I said how long have they had those eggs!? She said that it had been a weekish. I transported them home, so there is no telling if they are still viable though I was careful. I cleaned up the cage as it was kind of a mess - again sick, dying person was the owner. What can I do to help the birds? I gave them my pellet/fruit/nut/seed mixture for the other birds, and I gave them some fresh veggies and RO water. They look very healthy and bright eyed and 'bushy tailed'. I will go ahead and hand feed the babies if they should hatch, as I have done that before. I have not, however, ever raised a clutch from start to finish. The hand feeding I did was the tail end of birds in the petstore I worked at or my own when I was a child. The ones at the petstore were broad in species (macaw-conures, but no lovebirds). Please offer me any advice you can. I considered just taking the eggs and separating them, but with them moving from her home and everything I didn't want to drive them to kill themselves

 

[Mayden]

Could you not let the parents rear the chicks?

Congrats on your new bunch, hope it turns out well and as always, pictures!

 

[QuackQuack]

I thought I'd let them rear them for 2-3 weeks and then pull them so they could be nice little pet birdies. For now, they are going to be undisturbed. Both parties are in the nest box and that is where they both seem to be spending their time.

 

[QuackQuack]

This is NOT one of the birds, but it is a good example of what both of them look like. What are they as far as type and color? I know there are 8 or 9 lovebird types, but only a few are popular in aviculture. As an after thought, the pair is approximately 5 years old. I don't think I let the forum know that before. The lady has had them for at least that long, so it is possible they are older than that.

 

[cdog]

If you know how to feed it isn't that hard to raise a clutch, as long as you have the time. And with younger babies the temp. has to be just right, older babies don't need as strict of a temp. It is a full time commitment though so you have to be prepared. I find hand feeding 10 day old babies easier than 6 week old ones because 10 day old babies don't fly away or wonder off.lol.

 

[cdog]

I would say those are peach faced lovebirds.

 

[ann]

I bet they're so cute! It sounds to me that your already doing a great job! Maybe you could keep in touch with the previous owner and let them know about the babies, it could cheer her up a it? Good luck, and pics when they hatch !

 

[QuackQuack]

Time is all I have right now haha. I left my job!

 

[merlinsmom13]

Once the babies hatch could you feed a healthy mash to make it easier to feed the babies. 8 is alot of babies, be prepared, I can't imagine the parents can take care of them all. Have you candled the eggs? Mikey will see this, he's experienced w/babies.

 

[QuackQuack]

I'm going to candle, but I thought I would give them some time. It's been a big day. I didn't think a few days would make a difference. I want them to feel calm. Does that sound reasonable?

 

[QuackQuack]

Would running a humidifier near by to keep the eggs from drying be advisable?

 

[cdog]

Unless the room humidity is really low running a humidifier wont do justice. The pair will know if the eggs need humidity, they will take a bird bath and then sit on the eggs thus raising the humidity in the box.

 

[QuackQuack]

Well, I know one thing I should definitely change tomorrow! They have a watering mechanism which prevents bathing to keep the water clean. I will add a crock of water to the main cage tomorrow AM

 

[Sadie]

aww i have always loved the look of lovebirds! good luck, i hope the eggs make it!

 

[solobaby]

sounds like fun good luck

 

[QuackQuack]

Candled the eggs - 2 definite duds which I removed. The rest were tough to tell. They were at least fertile at one point but I fear fetal death from the jarring car ride. Air spaces of various sizes visible and no blood rings I could see. I did try to move quickly, so who knows? Maybe the only babies they will be having are the plush variety!