Babies got their tail feathers pulled out

Missi · Post by **Missi** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:10 pm

Today is the first day the 2 baby zebra finches (about 3-4 weeks old) were out of their nest.

We came home from work and they were out on a perch. I have noticed somehow their tails are missing. I see the tail feathers (half blood feathers) on the floor of the cage.

Do you think the parents did it? Do you think they did it to each other?

The parents are still feeding the babies outside of the nest...so I don't know what's going on or when I should separate the babies from the parents.

I have taken the nest out of the cage. Was that good to do?

Please advise. Thanks!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 3:24 am

It was most likely the parents. Zebra finches tend to sometimes do that to their babies when they are ready to have a new clutch... I usually seperate them as soon as possible.

Missi · Post by **Missi** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:13 pm

But the parents are still feeding them. If I separate the babies, they may not know how to feed them selves. They can just barely fly.

Jeeze, is a Zeb's purpose in life to procreate?!

Clutch after clutch after clutch?!!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:51 am

You could also try just having one parent in there and remove the other parent. Also try removing the nest.