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Approximately how old should baby Fischers be when you separate them from their parents and give them their own cage? I know they need a few more weeks with the parents so they can be taught to fend for themselves - I am just looking for an approximate time frame. My babies are about 4.5 weeks old now and are just starting to peak out of the nest box - my pair finally produced Lutinos so I am extremely excited

Linda will be along later to give you a lovie-specific answer but, meantime, here's some generic information. You're 100% right that the longer the chicks stay with their parents, the better birds they learn to be. Perhaps Linda will say they can have benefit of these lessons with daily playtime together and separate cages for sleeping. I'd guess though that your little family might not be tame enough for playtime outside their cage(s). Tameness is the primary reason I can think of for separating them unless you're raising them to be breeders or you intend to keep them and don't care that they aren't tame. I think the only disadvantage of leaving them together would be danger if the parents begin to feel a little crowded. This is a very real and life-threatening problem with the cockatiels I've bred. Maybe not so with lovies

Given these considerations, once your chicks are fully weaned, I doubt there is a particular age at which separating them is advantageous. If you're able to watch closely for signs of crowding, I think the longer you can leave them together, the better for them.

It takes approximately 8 weeks for parent fed babies to be weaned and eating completely on their own. I usually leave the youngsters with their parents for an additional week (just to make sure they can eat enough to survive on their own) and then I move the babies to their own cage.

Each pair of lovebirds is different so you will have to get to know your own particular pair. Most of mine don't mind if the chicks remain in the cage with them, as long as the little ones stay out of the nest. I have other hens that will allow the babies in the nest, which is why I say you need to know the preferences of your particular pair.

If the parents become aggressive with the babies before they are completely fledged, I move the little ones to their own cage and let dad be with them during the day so they can learn to eat and then I put him back with mom at night.

Yes, once the babies are old enough...Eating by themselves,they may be removed from their parents- otherwise.. You might run the risk of the parents attacking them! If the girl lays eggs for the second time.

youbetcha1018 wrote:Yes, once the babies are old enough...Eating by themselves,they may be removed from their parents- otherwise.. You might run the risk of the parents attacking them! If the girl lays eggs for the second time.

This depends on the individual pair. Some pairs don't like the babies to remain. Others have no problems with it. I've even had hens that allowed older siblings to sit in the box with them while they incubated the current clutch of eggs. You have to know your own birds.

Thanks, Linda Your experience is invaluable.