Bourkes chicks keep dying at a loss

[Raven11]

Hi I hope there are still people around that can give me some advice. I'm at a loss now.

I bought a proven pair of bourkes. In the last couple of years they have laid 5 clutches. They hatch the chicks but none ever survive. They always have empty crops even though I supply plenty of food, fresh and seeds, millet etc

He feeds her plenty and all seems to go well. But again this morning I wake up and find yesterday's chick dead..

I can't do this again and need to know why this keeps happening. I have taken lots of advice and tried everything. No one is even allowed in while they have eggs/chicks and even I don't go near them except to put food in.

She is very protective of her eggs but does seem to roll them around like bowling balls and gets very active about this. I don't know if she's just squashing them?


I have some pictures of the dead chick from this morning. Any suggestions would be welcome as there are more eggs and potential chicks in those eggs.

Here's the chick from this morning. I am just placing them further down this post in case they upset anyone. So don't scroll on down if you don't want to see them.

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[Craig52]

Sorry for your loss mate. They look very dehydrated and no food in their crop.
I realise you are in the UK so can't comment on your weather conditions as it's winter here in Australia.
I wouldn't give up just yet but swapping the hen might make a difference
Otherwise try soaked or sprouted finch mix and see how they go on that especially if you can't get green seeding grasses.

[finchbreeder]

What Craig said.
It's been a few years since I have been involved with breeding these - but seeding grasses from a couple of days before hatch until the chicks are all flying was the route to success used.
Rolling eggs is necessary to stop the chicks sticking to one side, it is usually a fairly gentle process, but Mum currently has a Budgie in the breeding box who is a bit vigorous with her rolling, and this is an experienced hen too.

[deegs]

Hi Raven 11, I have had success and failures over the years with Bourkes and Scarlets. The failures all seem to relate to a hen who just doesn’t feed their young. No matter what foods are provided they just don’t do it, I have no idea why, but as Craig suggested, try to move her on and get another hen. Good luck. Deegs.

[Raven11]

Sorry for your loss mate. They look very dehydrated and no food in their crop.
I realise you are in the UK so can't comment on your weather conditions as it's winter here in Australia.
I wouldn't give up just yet but swapping the hen might make a difference
Otherwise try soaked or sprouted finch mix and see how they go on that especially if you can't get green seeding grasses.

Thank you, its summer here but has been very rainy lately. I actually didn't know I could swap hens out, I had read somewhere they stay in a pair bond for life haha thank you I can get another hen, although this one seems determined! I do have another pair I guess I could get them to go down at a similar time and just remove the eggs next time.

[Raven11]

What Craig said.
It's been a few years since I have been involved with breeding these - but seeding grasses from a couple of days before hatch until the chicks are all flying was the route to success used.
Rolling eggs is necessary to stop the chicks sticking to one side, it is usually a fairly gentle process, but Mum currently has a Budgie in the breeding box who is a bit vigorous with her rolling, and this is an experienced hen too.

Thank you I do give all my birds freshly picked grasses and they did actually have some.. when I say she rolls her eggs, you would think she was bowling - and I have unfortunately found 2 squashed chicks before.. she gets very unsettled when they hatch. I am gutted as I could hear it chirping but I really thought she was feeding it this time..

[Raven11]

Hi Raven 11, I have had success and failures over the years with Bourkes and Scarlets. The failures all seem to relate to a hen who just doesn’t feed their young. No matter what foods are provided they just don’t do it, I have no idea why, but as Craig suggested, try to move her on and get another hen. Good luck. Deegs.

Thank you, she has 3 more eggs in there, if any more hatch I will pull the chicks and hand feed.. not looking forward to the broken sleep though lol every 2 to 3 hours I believe... shes a beautiful hen and im gutted..

[finchbreeder]

Many years ago when the parents hand raised parrots and cockies ocassionally it was indeed every couple of hours at 1st, just like human babies.