Contrary to some peoples belief, a budgies aggression toward its chicks or their mate is really not meant to be mean as far as the birds are concerned. Instinct is the key factor in these cases, and the birds are only acting on their hormones and the drives that these hormones cause.
In Australia where budgies are native, there is only a very short period of time where there is enough food and water supplies to raise healthy chicks. As a result, budgies raise their clutches as quickly and closely as possible during these times. |
There are a number of behavior signs if you are observant that you can watch out for long before there is a real attack, so please be aware of what they are ahead of time so as to avoid a serious one.
Mating is one of the first things to watch out for. Most pairs stop mating after all of the eggs of the clutch are laid and during incubation, and after while in the process of feeding young chicks. Once the chicks are 2-3 weeks old though, mating is one sign that the hen is beginning a laying cycle and a new clutch is on your pairs horizon. |
Limiting high protein foods, day light hours and putting the hen in a new cage once the chicks are 3 weeks old will help to throw your pair out of breeding mode and prevent another clutch all together. Once the chicks are nearing the 3 week mark in age you can reduce the day light hours of your pair to 8 or so to discourage them.
After the chicks have fledged removing the nest box is an obvious thing to do. Often times thought they will try to start another clutch before the previous one is ready to leave the nest or be separated from them unless you remove the hen before this happens. |
If the chicks are 3 weeks or older removing the female is the best course of action. Putting her in another room out of earshot and sight is usually all that is needed to calm the male and for him to finish raising and weaning the chicks safely.
I have never had a male be aggressive toward a chick without the female with him, 99% of the time the female is the instigator of the aggression. If the chicks are 2 weeks or younger removing the female is still the most logical decision, but some |