Weaning

[canucky2]

As posted in breeding, I have been hand raising three baby gouldians. they are darling but.... they never move unless, I open the door to their cage, then they come racing across the cage floor and flutter up to the enterance and perch at the door way for food.

I put them on the perches, they jump off and huddle in a corner together. My friends parents raised birds are eating food on their own, (not fully) and flying about the cage. Mine do not fly unless it's a quick short flight to the opening.

I know its slower for hand raised babies, but what should I be doing. Do I continue to feed them, and eventually they will learn to eat the seed and egg food at the bottom of their cage. I am worried, they won't know thats what they are suppose to do, because they don't see others doing it.

I had tried to put them in a cage with other birds but they are immediately pecked at. I not sure if the other birds are investigating and not being mean, but I don't want the babies hurt.

Any advise.

[franny]

Are they possibly just a bit cold in that cage? Could that be why they tend to huddle together on the floor? Maybe a heat lamp up top would help get them up onto the perches.

Also, if their cage is right next to a cage of others of their kind, they may see them pecking away at the seed and get the idea. Or just stretch out the time between feedings a bit longer, so they are really hungry!

Can't really think of anything else other than to just give them time.

Good luck.

[dfcauley]

How old are the birds? Are they old enough that they would be fledged if raised naturally? If not..... they are possible seeking comfort as they would in a nest.

I would not try to wean them yet for sure. Maybe put a little millet where they can get to it and try it some.....

[canucky2]

i am not weaning the babies yet. They are a week and a half past fledge date. I just want to have an idea, of timing. My four month old BCCB finch never did eat on his own, and he was in a big cage with all the other finches.

I guess I just want someone to tell me, they will learn how to eat eventually. If it take 6 months so be it.

They should be cold, I put little hand warmers under the nest, and they move away from it. I just want to do the right thing.

[cindy]

I have never done finches but different species of hookbills. Right now they run to you and beg because they identify with you as their "mom" and supplier of food. They are also seeking the comfort from you like dfcauley suggested.

When I handfed out young lovebirds and parrotlets that seemd anxious or seemed to need some comfort I added a small plush animal or some people use the feathered end of a duster for them to snuggle in. I have even taken a small recieving blanket and cut it in fours, bunched it up, put it into a little tupperware bowl (shallow enough for them to get out of if mobile) and let them sleep in it.

Cover part of the top, sides and back of the cage to give them a little security and it helps keep the warmth in. Make sure the heat source under them is not to hot, it can burn their feet, maybe fold something soft and put it on top of the heat source. See if this helps.

Birds wean at different rates, some take a little longer and some surprise you and refuse food and want seed. They will let you kow. You still have a little ways to go yet.

Keep us posted as to how they are doing.

[L in Ontario]

Sounds like you are doing a GREAT job!! Finches typically wean around 3 - 4 weeks after fledging, so they've got a ways to go yet. Keep up the great work - they love you

[CandoAviary]

Yes, I agree, good job. And yes, they will eat on their own eventually. I have just finished with my 4 that were handfed. One quickly took a liking to the millet spray and the commercial egg food (I put a paper towel down on the cage botton and sprinke some see, commercial egg food and lay a millet spray on it. I also with my hand that they are following around pinch at the millet spray. I crumble a few seeds onto the paper in a motion like my hand is eating the millet, 9 times out of 10 they will follow my lead.) They soon graduate to a seed cup.
The 2 middle gouldians would eat on their own but still begged and ate when I handfed. The last one would just hold out until I brought the handfeeding food. Finally he started to follow the lead of his siblings and they are done with me. I reached in today to grab one and it acted like he had never loved my hand He also was sprouting a few red head feathers...I have never seen one so young have a colored feather.

[canucky2]

Well I guess I don't have to worry about weaning them. Today all three babies up and died. It was devastating. I went to see them in their cage and all of them on their sides, dead. Very strange.

Friday the 13th, is not a good day.

[CandoAviary]

Terrible news. I am very sorry for your loss.

[dfcauley]

I am so sorry. How heartbreaking after all your efforts.

[cindy]

I am sorry for your loss.

[Domenic]

I am so sorry for you, that must hurt so bad. I hope you don't blame yourself for this, I think you did a fantastic job while they were still alive.

[lovemyfinch]

So sorry for your losses

[L in Ontario]

Very sorry to hear that, Canucky. You did the best you could - that's all any of us can do.

[ac12]

Very odd, all 3 in one day at the same time.
Could there have been some external cause; vapor from "something", spoiled egg, ....