FINCHforum

Last night, I came home to find my GS hen, who was feeding two hatchlings, almost dead on the floor of the cage. Apparently, the RTPF pair attacked her and plucked her to death! She looked like a piece of chicken, no feathers except a few on the tips of her wings and her head. She was raw...I feel sooo guilty and sad! She must have suffered all day while I was gone! She died in my hands as I was trying to put ointment on her plucked body. She left behind two juveniles and two hatchlings!! I am now hand feeding the two hatchlings, which are about 10 days old, eyes open. So, they aren't afraid of me and are taking formula fine. Whew! At least they survived. I assume Zelda (mama GS) was protecting her nest and the RTPF or his mate the SGPF were attacking and trying to move her away, as they had just finished building a nest of their own about 8 inches away from her nest. I have 3 different nests in that six foot flight! There's plenty of greenery too. The PF pair have been in that flight for about a month and the GS pair raised their first clutch along side the RTPF pair without a problem. But, this time, apparently, something went wrong. I have another GS pair and RTPF pied pair in a six foot flight, but none are nesting at this time. I'm devastated!! Zelda was one of my first finches and one of my favorites. She raised about six clutches since I owned her and it makes me sick to think of how much she must have suffered without any help or even something to ease her pain.


Lord, please bring Zelda total peace and healing and love! Rest in the Peace of our Lord, Zelda! I love you!!

Finchmix 22, don't blame yourself. You can't. Birds unfortunately can be exceptionally aggressive to eachother, and there may be no preceding aggression with the birds. I keep each of my three birds (Zebra finch, star finch and canary) in separate cages as they can be nasty to eachother from time to time. Usually, I fly all three together, but I wouldn't trust them without supervision. Good luck with the hatchlings. I would say their Mama was protecting them. What a lovely bird. God bless.

So sorry to hear this, Deborah. I'm sure Zelda was trying to protect her babies, and so she didn't try to get away from the attackers. There is no way to predict how our finches will act, peacably one day and then turn aggressive. You would think that a 6' flight would be plenty of room.

I'm so so sorry this happened

RIP Zelda

What a lovely bird, I feel sorry for you you did your best by helping Zelda to feed the babies, that's what she wants since she must protect the young and avoid move away from them even attacked by the RTPF pair. Bless her rest in peace.

So very sorry for your loss Deborah
Sending prayers that the chicks do well
all my best

So sorry to hear this, Deb... . Poor Zelda gave her life to protect her babies. What an incredible mommy she was. Sending you hugs and prayers for all of her lovely babies.

Sorry for your loss Deborah. Good luck with the babies, glad they are eating for you.

What an incredible mom she was. Usually its the GS getting a bad wrap for being aggressive when breeding. She was an exception to the rule.
Sorry for you loss. Best wishes for the babies.

Thank you everyone! Your comments helped me feel better. I hadn't been thinking that Zelda was protecting her babies. I was thinking the other pair felt threatened by Zelda's nest and babies, but didn't think about her staying at the nest, which led to her death. Wow, she was a great mother!! I really loved her and will miss her greatly. The babies are eating well and full of life so far! I pray they continue to do well and then, I'll have two handfed GS!! One good thing that can come from her tragic death. Thanks everyone !!

What a horrible turn of events.... So sorry you lost her that her chicks will grow big and strong...
God Bless!

My heart hurts for you as I know how bad you must feel. So sorry to hear this. We never can predict things like this so try not to blame yourself. Those parrot finches can be CRAZY! I have 6 in my aviary now. Fortunately they don't bother the other birds, but they are constantly chasing each other.
The babies are adorable. Just enjoy them!!! ((((hugs))))

Absolutely heartbreaking. I'm so very sorry. :'(

Sorry this happened. It's strange and sad that the parrot finches went that far.

I am so sorry for your loss.