FINCHforum

If a week old finch is resting in its nest with its crop-side always facing upward is this a sign of a problem or do all baby finches do this?

Should its legs be functioning at this age?

How old should a baby finch be before it can stand up on its own?

TIA

Any help?

I really wish I could help you here Mike, but I really have no idea. I do hope that he will be fine.

I would think he should be sitting upright at this time. What happens when he's being fed? Does his crop empty between feedings? Are his eyes open yet?

They spend about 3 weeks in the nest. I would suspect he is not even feathered after a week and laying on his/her side is ok.

What species finch, as they do differ a bit in nest behavior? I rarely get to see any nest behavior on mine, as they don't tolerate nest checks, but I can look in the Society nests all I want.

At one week, the eyes should be starting to open, though you may just see slits for a few days. My handfed Stars couldn't really stand completely till they were getting near fledging age--quite late, I thought, but they are totally normal. When I say stand, I mean they couldn't put their whole weight on their legs. Are there other babies in the nest? My babies are usually on their tummies, though my five little BCCBs that are just a few days old sleep in such a pile that they are in every possible position. I really need to keep a daily journal, so I will know at what age they developed various abilities.