FINCHforum

So my two zebra babies are now about 6 weeks old and I noticed today they are both bare on the back of the neck/shouldar like mom and or dad is pecking them so I separated them. I see some seed in the bottom of cage but they didn't go for the millet spray this pm, so I hope they are eating enough on their own. All my other babies were o.k., and weaned about this time....don't know just have an uneasy feeling.

Angela&Shalamar
I wouldn't separate the babies from the parents until you know they are eating AND drinking on their own. As long as the parents aren't physically harming the fledglings, I don't think moving them because of plucking is worth the risk of them starving. Just keep an eye on them.

Angela&Shalamar
-Could be that parents are in a hurry to start another family and need feathers to line the nest with. Have they had other babies before, where this was a problem?
-I always remember my Love Bird (Mummy dearest) who plucked her two daughters bloody, wouldn't feed them, and almost killed them in the nest.
-It's a hard call. I would really watch to see if they are eating on their own, or maybe try to supplement with some hand feeding now and again (or are they too old to start that now?)

- Anyway good luck.

They are hurting them that's why I separated them.
There are no feathers in the nest to show they are trying to use them to nest again...checked that.
At 6 weeks they should be self feeding. I could force feed but I'm not home enough to do it.

You can put the babies in a cage next to the parent cage and the father should feed them through the bars. Also, give them easy to eat foods and easy to reach water until your'e sure they are weaned.

Both are doing o.k., finally saw them eating today seeds and egg food. I'm so relieved.

Angela&Shalamar
Make sure they can drink on their own as that is the last skill they learn and the hardest. They'll eat on their own before the can drink on their own. I assume you mean at 6 weeks post fledging? If not, they are too young to be weaned if they are 6 weeks old since hatch date.

If they weren't drinking on their own they'd have died of dehydrations by now.