Yellow Gouldian Hen With Blue Head Feathers?

[Chris103]

Parents abandoned the chick today . I saw them both out of the nest while feeding this morning and took a quick peek in the box. The chicks crop looked a little low but it was early and the lights has just come on so I wasn't too concerned. 7 hours later when I got home from work, both parents were still out of the box which Is very odd for them. I looked in the nest and couldn't even see the chick or eggs because there was so much nesting material on top of them! Its 50 degrees in the garage (bird room) and the chick was ice cold. It wasn't even moving and I didn't notice breathing either, I honestly thought the chick was dead. I set the chick by the heater just by chance while I gave the other birds millet and eggfood. When I was done, I went to grab the chick and to my surprise He moved his wing just a bit! I ran inside to slowly warm him up, after only 10 minutes He was screaming for food! I was relieved, but realized I would now have to hand feed the little one. Luckily I found a syringe and a small tip made for feeding finches that I had ordered years ago. Lonnng story short, I am now hand feeding this chick. While I've hand fed hundreds of parrots and quite a few wild birds, this Is my first time with a finch. The first feeding went great and I'm praying it stays that way! May the finch gods be with me

[debbie276]

So sorry to hear they abandoned their chick. It wouldn't be unusual for them to abandon a clutch of just one, glad you were able to make the save.
best of luck, sounds like you've got it under control

[Chris103]

Thanks for your kind words Debbie. He's been very active and eating every two two hours so hopefully he'll make it. I'm just so afraid I'm going to asparate him. I've been keeping his brooder around 80-90 degrees, does that sound about right for a 15 day old chick?

[debbie276]

Here's a great link from the Finch Information Center about handfeeding with different brooder temps and thicknesses of formula
http://www.finchinfo.com/breeding/handfeeding.php

[Chris103]

Once again, Thank you Debbie! Sounds like I've been doing everything right so far.

[Chris103]

Here are some photos of the pair I've been talking about. Since they don't have anything in the nest, I was able to catch them and get some better pictures.


Male with the black mask feathers.


And the hen with blue on her mask.

[Chris103]

The pair has a new egg in the nest today! Hopefully they will hatch more than one chick and raise them to weaning this time! Its their last chance for the season since this will be clutch #3!

[debbie276]

Good luck

[Chris103]

Thanks Debbie !