Help! Aggressive mother zebra finch.

lovelandjakes · Post by **lovelandjakes** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:17 pm

I have a problem. I have 4 baby zebra finches that just left the nest yesterday. Today Momma bird started pecking feathers from the babies' backs - they are completely bald on the backs now. Can I move Momma to another cage and let Dad take care of feeding them? The babies look terrible! Help! Please reply ASAP as I am very concerned.

Sally H · Post by **Sally H** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 9:40 pm

Yes, remove Momma and let Dad wean the chicks. Start offering millet sprays for the fledges to pick at (I heard it helps them wean faster)

After thoughts:
Is there a divider in the cage? I've read about parents feeding the fledges through the bars when they begged even though when they were together they tried to kill them.

Also removing the nest should cut aggression but she's already plucking so it may be too late for that.

Good luck!

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 6:44 am

it is quite possible that they are plucking the youngsters because they may be trying to build a fresh nest if the chicks are almost weaned check to see if the nest is still fresh and if there is nothing in there she maybe trying to build again and they will use anything they can get hold of to make a nest .i would place some nesting material in the nest replacing any eggs that may be in there and put some material inbetween the bars so that they can see it and just maybe they will concentrate on that and not the chicks

ken