FINCHforum

I've got a pair of Zebra finches, they have just raised two chicks. One of the chicks is starting to poke its head out of the nest and look around, so he and his sibling should be out of the nest soon. My problem is with the parents.

I woke up this morning and the male won't allow the female to land on the bottom of the cage to peck at the seed hulls (Like she usually does) and the millet that's at the bottom. There making squalking/almost growling sounds at each other.

What could be going on? These guys usually love each other. Should I separate them?

Thanks in advance

I do beleive that Daddy wants Mommy to make more babies.

Exactly right, Janine! And they will continue to fight and it could escalate to where the male starts picking on the kids.

You may have to separate the male and leave the hen in to take care of the kids and finish weaning them.

It's not unusual for Zebras.

Put daddy into a separate cage.
Let mom take care of the kids.

Here's an update:

When I tried to reach in and get my male, he flew out of the cage and had to spend 15 minutes chasing around the house before I could catch him. I think it kinda put him in shock when I caught him because he got real still, I told him to quit getting after the mama bird and put him back in with her. They cuddled up together side by side and were real quite for about an hour. He hasn't gone back to getting after her, so maybe he won't for a while.

About the chicks:

They did come out of the nest today. They are a month old this week. Will the parents still feed them while there on the bottom of the cage? I heard them squeaking a few times and the mama bird hopped in the nest and back out when she saw they weren't in there. (I've already cleaned out and put the nest back in the cage). I do have millet on the bottom that they can get to. Should I maybe try to put them back in the nest or just hope the parents will still feed them on the bottom of the cage?

Thanks again

You could put them in the nest, although they very well may just pop right back out! I don't think you need to worry - unless they came out too early as a result of your trying to catch Papa? They usually continue to feed the fledglings once out of the nest, no problem. So watch to see if they feed them outside the nest. If it's been a couple of hours and the babies are begging and being ignored, then put them back in the nest.

But I think it might be a good idea to take the nest out, if the babies come out on their own again. Just to make sure Mom and Pop don't decide to get into breeding mode again and start another clutch, instead of concentrating on the babies..

Ditto what Franny said. I'm sure the parents will feed the kids outside of the nest, and if you don't want more babies - take the nest out... quickly!