Baby chick out of nesting box

[Bina163]

Hello I am new here. My husband owns budgies and successfully bred them. One of the chicks had come out of the nesting box but my husband is actually away and unreachable and I am not sure what to do. Should I place it back in the nesting box or leave it outside. Its feathers are coming through mostly white with a bit of brown. Its managing to walk about at the bottom of the cage and will run away from my hand if I put it in the cage. I think its possibly 2 to 3 weeks old. Its eyes are open and it's making louder noises than tweeting like it did initially. It seems to be just sat in the corner of the cage not moving so I am a bit worried. I tried to put it back in the nesting box but its dad is protective of it and wont let me get near the chick without banging its head against the cage warding me off. I think there may be more eggs in the box and mum keeps going back in. We decided not to disturb the nesting box too as had many clutches of eggs but no chicks in the past. This has been the first success after 10 months. Both parents have been feeding their babies since born. Have not handled the baby apart from one occasion when it was out of the box when only approx 5 days old to put it back into box. Suggestions anyone please? I've attached a pic of the chick too

 

[TwoCrows]

@Pyxis do you know what to do in this case?

 

[TwoCrows]

@nchls school do you have any ideas?

 

[Pyxis]

Try to put it back in, even if the father is giving you a hard time. He was probably just getting curious and came out on his own, but he should be put back in. Often they will start to leave the nest box at four to five weeks of age. Yours is too young for that yet.

Also see if you can tell if the mother is forcing it out of the box. I have been told that sometimes they will do that if they are going for a second clutch. If she is being aggressive towards the chick, intervention needs to occur.

https://www.cutelittlebirdiesaviary.com/aggression-toward-chicks-and-what-to-do.html

 

[Pyxis]

Oh, I just saw that it also fell out of the nesting box at five days old as well? Any chance you can post a picture of what kind of nest box you are using?

 

[Bina163]

Try to put it back in, even if the father is giving you a hard time. He was probably just getting curious and came out on his own, but he should be put back in. Often they will start to leave the nest box at four to five weeks of age. Yours is too young for that yet.

Also see if you can tell if the mother is forcing it out of the box. I have been told that sometimes they will do that if they are going for a second clutch. If she is being aggressive towards the chick, intervention needs to occur.

https://www.cutelittlebirdiesaviary.com/aggression-toward-chicks-and-what-to-do.html

thank you so much
I literally read your post walked to the cage with purpose and put the chick back into the box. The dad pecked me a couple of times but I was reinforced by your post. I had to put the poor chick back inside. I hope it stays there now. Will keep an eye out for aggression by mum.

 

[Bina163]

Oh, I just saw that it also fell out of the nesting box at five days old as well? Any chance you can post a picture of what kind of nest box you are using?

I've realised this isnt the best box
The top doesnt open the side does and once open it's hard to close because of feathers etc so I dont look inside

 

[Pyxis]

I've realised this isnt the best box
The top doesnt open the side does and once open it's hard to close because of feathers etc so I dont look inside

Yep, looks like it's not as deep as would be best - something with the entrance up higher is better and helps keeps the chicks in until they are ready to come out.

If you guys try for another clutch in the future, I'd replace that box. I've heard good things about these Vision nest boxes:

https://www.amazon.com/Vision-83385-Breeding-Box/dp/B001B599DM

 

[Pyxis]

Very glad to hear the baby is back safe in the nest!

 

[Bina163]

Chick has escaped again. I wasnt able to monitor whether the mum was pushing it out or not. Should I attempt to put it back in? The hen is always in the box so I think there must be more eggs but I can't say for sure. When I looked earlier I could see the chick near the hole. What should I do? Shall I try to put it back?