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I have two pairs of budgies in cages side by side, with a nest box in each of them. Both females laid no fewer than seven eggs. The first pair seem to be doing fine and getting the hang of feeding and protecting their young, and five of their babies have already hatched. The male is as crazy about the female as when they were mating, and she seems to relish the attention and care.

The second pair mated with mutual enthusiasm and the female seemed very willing and receptive. The male was very supportive to her and even helped set on the eggs. They now have four baby birds that have hatched. However, since the babies have started to hatch, it seems that the female has turned on the male. I watched him a couple of times with the babies, and I did not detect that he was too rough or anything; in fact, he would seek out their mouths to feed them. He has been very faithful in trying to feed his hen and their young. However, I have witnessed on probably several dozen occasions now how the female tries to keep him out of the box, or if he does get in, they seem to quarrel. I saw him “scolding” her a few times inside the box when she tried pecking him out, and he managed to hold his own at least for the time being. More often than not, though, all of a sudden I’ll hear “quarreling” followed by an angry screech and he exits that nest box like he’s been shot from a cannon. I can only surmise that she is giving him some nasty pecks.

I am concerned that he will get seriously hurt and that I should remove him for his own protection. But then, where does that leave the babies? I don’t want the babies to suffer for his absence. I’ve even wondered if I should remove the hen and let him care for the babies. It’s like all of a sudden mama bird can’t stand daddy bird, who seems very sweet and caring. Any constructive advice on this issue will be very welcome. Thanks in advance!