FINCHforum

I have four Zebra Finches, 2 parents and a female and male chick. I have been noticing that the parents (mostly the dad) have been pecking their fledglings. Some people on other websites say that they are desperate for nesting material. However I do not think this is the case, because I have provided nesting material for them since the chicks first left the nest. Has anyone got a clue that might be helpful?

Jake

Hi Jake,

I would reove the father out of the cage into a seperate enclosure.
If he's plucking the chicks, he may also seriously hurt them.

He probably wants to breed again, so wants to get rid of the chicks.
He may also be pulling the feathers to add to a new nest.

Hi Jake

I agree dad wants to move on to next clutch and prepping nest with feathers

Jake@lovezebs@Samc

I agree with the others, the male is probably wanting to start another clutch, and he could pluck the babies to the point of really harming them. If you move the father out, the mother will be able to continue to feed these two until they are independent.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at http://www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finches, especially the Zebra finch. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for others to help you.

I'm going to move this topic into the Breeding forum, so that others may see it and offer other suggestions.

Since the chicks have fledged, REMOVE the nest.
Without a nest, there isn't a place to lay eggs, so some of the mating trigger is removed.

If even with the nest removed, if the M is still plucking the chicks, then remove him.

Is he PLUCKING or pecking on the chicks?
PLUCKING is pulling the feathers off the chicks.

I had one M that would just PLUCK his mate and chicks. Once he started, there was no stopping him. So as soon as I caught him plucking, OUT he came.

Have these chicks fledged because my female zebra always starts attacking the chicks once they fledge and I have to give them to the society's I have I agree with the above comment tho saying take out the nest I'm going to have to try this next time

Fraza
I would not breed that hen again.
That is too much drama to deal with clutch after clutch.

BTW are the chicks white or pied?
I found it very odd that white or pied chicks tend to be picked on by the parents. It is something about the white that seems to trigger aggression out of some of the parents.

No the chick is actually grey but she was a cream colour but I've noticed the cream colour ones seem to be nasty