Caring of the new clutch

Question
QUESTION: Our female laid 4 eggs,all have hatched, both parents are feeding them. What do we do now, just wait for them to grow old enough to get out of the breeding box? When will we know when she has stopped feeding them, will they find the feeding dishes on their own? Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Roberta!

I frequently handle my chicks from the day they are hatched, it helps hand tame them and make sure one of them isn't sick. If you have never bred budgies then I don't recommend doing this. Also, if your female isn't hand tame then take caution when viewing the chicks because she might leave the nest and abandon them. I suggest starting to handle them as soon as they open their eyes. This will make them hand tame and better pets. The chicks usually leave the nest at around 4 weeks, sometimes sooner, sometimes later. The male will them feed them for about a week. They are ready to leave for their new homes at 6 weeks. The parents will have stopped feeding them by then. Yes, by watching their parents they will figure out where the food dishes are.

Hope this helps!
Erika

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry, one more..should I seperate them once they eat by themselves, or can all six stay in the same cage?

Answer
Hi Roberta!

I usually separate my chicks from the adults as soon as they can eat on their own, but if you do not have the room to house them in a separate cage they will be fine in the same cage as the adults. I separate them because I let my females breed three times a year, all three times in a row, meaning as soon as the youngest chick is a month old the female is laying eggs again, and sometimes females will become hostile to their chicks. I usually house them in a ten gallon aquarium, which can be found for $10 at Walmart.

Hope this helps!
Erika