First Time Hand Rearing Lovebirds

Breeding season is almost upon us and that is when chaos ensues in this household; when there are so many little birds to feed and a time table has to be kept of when to feed them.  Sawdust has to be changed every day otherwise they become stinky and attract the flies.  It is usually the African Greys and Ring Necks that we hand rear, but at the moment I have a brood of five Love Birds. 

It started with a friend from the budgie club buying up the entire Love Bird stock from a fellow breeder and amongst them were a number of little ones that were still too young to fend for themselves.  Johan, being Johan..lol...offered my services in hand rearing, and there you are, that is how it started...

I must say they are very easy to feed and as small as they are, they took to using a spoon quite easily.  I have been feeding them for a few weeks now and they are almost fully feathered which means they may start to eat on their own soon.  One little one is an absolute character, clambering up the side of the tub they are in until it is perched on the edge and Nix is keen to keep it as a pet.  I didn't realize that Love Birds make good pets until Johan responded to NiQi's thought about keeping it.  He reckons that in the old days hardened criminals were given love birds as pets to keep in their cells which helped with their rehabilitation...interesting.

As for these little ones that are just so cute and sweet, I hope that when they are placed back with the others, they will remember me...