FINCHforum

Has anyone had two seperate clutches that they had to completly handfeed.And when they were old enough did you mate any of them together,and did they know to feed the babies,thanks tom.

I bred handfeeds this year..though I did not pair 2 handfeds together.Maybe I will try that next year.... I like doing experiments. Mine did fine. I think being handfed has very little to do with raising their own. I have had parent fed chicks that would not feed and even toss. So I think it comes down to the bird. For the most part they have in their genetic make up the resouces to know what to do. Just like when our handfeds get to a certain age they become birds and want nothing to do with us. I have had 5 handfeds in the house no where near other birds and they still wean themselves and eat and drink without an experienced bird showing/teaching them how to do it. I think breeding is also ingrained. At least it appears to be in my observations.

I hand fed 7 babies last year - one of which was the OH N/B hen you got from me.
One of her clutch mates was bred to a first time breeding male this year and has produced two clutches so far, both times she has been a spectacular parent.