FINCHforum

Yesterday I had three spice finches fledge. They were being attended by mom and dad. Today both parents are still feeding, but mom wouldn't stop trying to feed them even when they were clearly satiated - when the chicks wouldn't beg, she would pull at them, ripping feathers out of her children's wings and breasts. This was not an isolated event - it happened probably a dozen times this morning before I realized I needed to cage her away from the babies before she really maimed them.

Will Dad be able to provide for the three on his own? He's being a much better parent than his wife...

What would compel her to tear her baby's feathers out? She ate them as she did so, which would normally give reason to suspect a deficiency, but with the diet I offer I don't see how that is possible. They get daily eggfood, greens, several seedmixes, millet, pellets, fruits and vegetables and eat everything offered and never plucked before the chicks left the nest.

The only thing I could think of is that possibly she wanted feathers for a new nest? But then why would she eat them? Never had this happen before, but Dad should be able to care for the fledglings till they wean.

It's sad, the mother is really distressed confined away from her chicks, the dad is feeding them though, and she can still see them. I don't think she could be plucking for a nest - for one, there is no longer any nest around, and I've never seen spices fluff or feather their nests like zebras do, they prefer coarse materials.

The hen was removed for four days and returned. Now that her chicks are a bit larger and more mobile, the plucking has stopped and she is feeding them without problem. Unsure what the issue was, happy it's gone now.

Sheather
Glad to hear that the problem has resolved itself, Dylan. So both parents are now feeding? and babies are happy?

It's always nice to hear good news.
Goodluck with them, they are pretty birds.

~Elana~