Tossing question

[solo_birdlover]

So we all know that some finches toss their babies. What I'd like to know, if they do toss, when do they usually do it ? I mean is it immediately after the eggs hatch out or can it be any time after ? And, in the case of CBs of example, how do you go about supplying the live food (mealworms) ? I mean how do you make sure you're giving them enough live food so that it's less likely they toss? Do you put some worms in a dish or something ? Normally, I'd give them up to 4 a day/ each. But I'm guessing it's going to be different if they have chicks.

[B CAMP]

I think they toss when ever not much help but I have them toss at different stages with out any apparent reason
I put my mealworms in a small ash tray and just watch and give more, i think the CB will feed huge amounts when they have chicks

[nixity]

With the Gouldians if they toss in my experience it's always right after the babies hatch.

When I tried my luck with Cordon Bleus one of the pairs didn't toss, they just abandoned the nest every time as soon as the eggs hatched.

The other pair always tossed once the babies reached about 6-8 days old.

[Ursula]

I agree with Bill. Don't let them run out of live food, even if it means wasting some...

[ac12]

The one time I recorded it, my society tossed the chick as soon as it hatched.

[solo_birdlover]

Thank you all for the replies. So, there's no way then of knowing when they're going to toss, if they do. That sucks. I guess it's all about luck then. They either toss, or they don't, with live food or without... . It's baffling. Why would they dedicate two weeks to incubating their eggs then toss the chicks after all that hard work -even with live food ? It is really puzzling.

[ac12]

It might be that they can see that "something" is wrong w the chick. And rather than waste energy on raising it...they toss it.

[annague]

Mine have tossed at various stages -- its really hard to tell when or why they are going to do it but they definitely do better when they were parent-raised, there is plenty of abundant food for the babies and they are mature birds.