New Mommy

Kathleen · Post by **Kathleen** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:13 pm

To make a long story short, I have been taking care of a baby zebra finch for the past 4 days ( it's now 6 days old). The parents pushed it to the side of the nest and put nesting material on top of it. I never saw them take care of it for two days. So I stepped in. When I put it in a paper towel it was barely moving. I went on finchform and after reading lots of info, I went to work on trying to save the little guy. I am still shocked at the size of this baby. I have been following some good advise and I think the baby is doing fine so far. However, could someone verify that the rear end of the baby is suppose to look a bit scary, sorry I don't know a better way to put it. It's red, green and quite large, is this the way it should look. Is there a way to tell the sex at this time, we would like to name it. Also, is it suppose to go pee/poo after each time it eats? It now goes about 3-4 time a day. Thanks for helping the new mommy. ps I am keeping it as our new baby and will not reintroduce it to the other 8 finches. I am very attached already.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:03 am

When they are that young they look funny altogether, including their back end. How is it doing now?

It's hard to handfeed a baby finch, especially one that is that young.

Birds in general poop about every 20 minutes or so.

I don't know if, when it gets older, you could just keep it by itself or not. You would probably have to give it a lot of attention. You can't clip a finches wings, because their exercise is flying, as they don't climb like parrots or other hookbills. So I think you'll have to spend quite a lot of time with it, as finches tend to get lonely in a cage by themself, and they like to do finch stuff like preen eachother and snuggle.

Kathleen · Post by **Kathleen** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 9:53 am

Thanks Emily...the baby is doing really good. I have had some challenging moments with the crop not emptying out from Thursdays 3pm feeding. And the big bubble in the crop. Tried the burbing and am doing the infant applesauce/formula. It's so amazing to take care of such a tiny bird. It' is doing much better...crop looks good this morning....got some poop....and he/she was begging for breakfast!!! I will give it a try to keep it as a pet and will give it alot of love and attention. I am a self employed Portait Artist and my studio is in my home. Six of my finches I rescude during a family trip to northern Georgia, I live in Florida. We now have 8 and this new baby. I have always loved birds and plan on giving this little one my best. I beleive today is day 8 and he looks great today. Eyes look like they are getting ready to open, CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT !!! The chirping is so cute too. Well, thanks again for all the help and I'll keep FF informed of the babies progress.
Kathleen