normal?

superfly1977 · Post by **superfly1977** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:10 am

my golud. didn't go in the nest tonight. the first time she did this she has 4 babies in the nest about 5-9 days old is this normal or shouid i start to worry this is her 3rd try at this too. i think she will go back in the nest in the morning i hope. he still goes in and feed them once in a blue moon i no dring the day they both out at some times to eat but that is alot of mouths to feed too. but i keep my eye on them to see if they go in the nest too.so if this is normal i will leave them alone if not i have to feed them intill a soc. bird takes over the feeding for me. so please write back asap. thank you for your input

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:29 am

have heard that the reason for this is that the parents know when the young are big enough to stay warm and no longer need the extra warmth provided by the parent being in the nest. with my own birds I have noticed that this tends to occur from approx 1 week old.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:27 am

I agree with Mick. It's completely normal for the hen to stop brooding at night once the chicks are about a week old. This is usually the sign to close band them (if you do this).

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:31 am

Yes by that age the chicks will be huddling together to share body warmth and it could be too warm in the nest for the parents. They'll go back in first thing in the morning. Birds are so smart!