FINCHforum

Okay, so I had nest in the cage, because it was cute when the finches all bunched in there at night. I had no problems with eggs because apparently the two I originally had were of the same gender.

I got two more a while a ago (posted pics then too) and then some eggs were laid. I wasn't worried. None of my birds have ever successfully hatched anyhting...not the keets, not the buttons, not the canaries. It's just not done in my household.

Well, I decided to clip some nails today, caught my finches, and thought I would toss the eggs that were never going to hatch.

There are babies in there.

Babies.

Oh my god.

Babies.

Little finches.

Babies.

You know, babies.

I guess I'd better start reading up on breeding, heh?

And can I touch them???

Make sure you wash your hands first, but yes, with societies you should be able to touch them without an issue...however, avoid doing so unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do, remember they can't tolerate compression, so try not to squeeze them at all, even lightly.

About how big are they?

Ummm...I took one look, but the nest back in the cage, and freaked out. I couldn't even tell you how many there are right now. One looked pretty big, no feathers, eyes not open. Sorry, that's all I can tell you. I truly didn't expect babies.

If the eyes are not yet open its under about ten days old. Their eyes will start opening between 8-10 days. If there are no pin feathers starting on their wings, they're likely no older than about six days old. So long as they're moving and seem to have full crops they're doing all right. Just let the parents do their thing.

Take a deep breath, things will be all right. And congratulations!

Thanks! Will I have to hand feed these, or will it be okay to have the finches take care of it. There are 4 finches in the cage right now, and they seem to be all taking care of the babies.

Nah, you shouldn't have to hand feed. Just leave them to it. With four caretakers the babies should be more than spoiled. Only if you somehow lost your four adult finches or they all started pitching the babies and refused to care for them, would you have to think about resorting to handfeeding, and honestly that is very unlikely to happen, especially with societies. Were they gouldians that'd be a different story, as I so recently learned.

When the young ones fledge, however, you might want to think about removing that nest, or seperating the genders, otherwise this is going to continue to happen at a prodigious rate. Good luck!

Thanks! This is actually pretty cool. I can hear them cheeping!!!

Gah, I know about the cheeping. My baby society I barely ever heard, but with the four gouldian babies in there now, its non-stop and LOUD. *laugh*

But I wouldn't give em up for anything

Yay! Congrats!!

Those little cheeping sounds will get louder! and louder!

I'm so happy for you. I found our baby finch in the same way, and the next few weeks of its life were some of the more exciting finch owing days I've ever had.

They really do take care if themselves. Try to minimize the amount of disruptions to the cage for the next week and before you know it you'll have a clumsy little fledgling trying to hop and fly it's way around.

Lots of luck

Ya, congratulations! I feel happy for you! Sorry I'm a newbie so I can't offer any advice thru experience. Wish I could help!

Congrats on your surprise finch family. Hope all goes well. No need to worry as mom and dad will do just fine!! Be sure to show us some pic's!!