For a baby budgie to mature into a well adjusted and happy adult, a natural progression of milestones and changes is needed. During the hand feeding process we are changing a number of the natural things a baby budgie would experience and do if he/she was raised by their parents. In order to make this process as natural and mentally healthy as possible, it is very important to understand what a baby budgie should naturally experience and when these things should take place.

Looking at things from a human, rather than a budgie, viewpoint can and often will, create a anxious, fearful, poorly adjusted adult bird, but with a few logical precautions and changes you can make the hand feeding process go as smoothly and naturally as possible!

Before we go into the basic things you as the breeder will want to do during the weeks you are hand feeding your chicks,, lets first think about what a baby budgie would naturally experience from the time their eyes open until they are fully weaned.

Life inside the nestbox

Leaving the nest for the first time



Common mistakes: 
Providing an open/see through nursery box during the feathering up stage
Moving the chicks into a weaning cage before they are 4-5 weeks in age "to explore"
Spending an excessive amount of time out outside of the nursery box with you
Moving the chicks into the weaning cage as soon as they are feathered up (about 4 weeks)