When do zebra finch babies learn to eat on their own?

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cathodoer
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When do zebra finch babies learn to eat on their own?

Post by cathodoer » Sun Mar 26, 2017 4:10 pm

At what age will the parents stop feeding their offspring? I'll be separating my finch's chick from them eventually but I'm not sure when that should be. The chick is 30 days old, fully able to fly, but is heavily dependant on my male finch to feed him. My female stopped feeding him after laying another clutch (dummy eggs now!) but my male is still going at it.

The chick is pecking at seeds but hasn't yet managed to feed himself and is still begging when near my male. I'm assuming this is normal but I'm new to chicks! However I don't want to leave the chick with my male for too long because the male has started pulling at both the chick and his mate's tail feathers for nesting material and I don't want it getting worse, I've heard some bad things about male finches and their breeding behaviour..

Can anyone help? How much longer before the chick is feeding itself? Should I separate my male? He's very dedicated to both his chick and the nest. Thank you

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lovezebs
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Re: When do zebra finch babies learn to eat on their own?

Post by lovezebs » Sun Mar 26, 2017 4:26 pm

cathodoer

Usually, the parents will start weaning them, and offering fewer meals as time goes on.

If parents are still feeding, then chicks are still not weaned.

Chicks, have to be able to eat AND drink on their own.

I would leave them with the parents , and offer Dad some other interesting nesting material, so that he doesn't feel the need to pluck the chicks.

If removed too soon, chicks can starve to death, or dehydrate and die.

Good luck.
~Elana~

Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~

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haroun
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Re: When do zebra finch babies learn to eat on their own?

Post by haroun » Sun Mar 26, 2017 5:08 pm

Zebra babies are weaned at age of 5 to 6 weeks grom hatch someone are fully indépendante at 35 days others do it after another week. So keep ur zebra with parents and check if hr still began for food after 5days if so leave it for anotherweek.
3weeks to fledge
,+3weeks to wean

ac12
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Re: When do zebra finch babies learn to eat on their own?

Post by ac12 » Tue Mar 28, 2017 6:48 pm

For mine it was about 3 weeks after fledging.
Some were down at the 2 week mark, most at about 3 weeks and a few longer than 3 weeks.
Gary

gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
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