Any danger fledging in aviary?

[Don]

I have 3 clutches of baby gouldian hatched recently, one clutch is 5 babies under a pair society, they're about 12 days old, the parents RH/PB/GB Male & BH/YB/GB female abandoned the eggs. This pair went to a different nest and they laid another clutch of 5 eggs, 4 out of 5 eggs just hatched 2 days, so far the parents feeding them. Another clutch of 5 hatched 5 days ago, they belong to a pair of both BH. All my birds are in the same outdoor aviary, the dimension 12'x5'x6'. The nest are at the top of aviary, I'm worry when the babies will hurt themself when they learn to fly, the floor of the aviary is concrete. Are they going to be okay? I afraid to move the nests now would disturb the parents goulds.

[finchmix22]

Congrats on all the new chicks! I would put the unscented hamster bedding on the bottom or Timothy Hay or some other type of cushion for when they fledge.

[bugaboo5]

Awww....congratulations. The chicks should be fine. You could certainly add some bedding at the bottom if you would like -- grass, dried hay, etc but they should be just fine. Most Gouldians chicks do not fledge until they are ready -- the only other reason for premature fledging would be not being fed (starvation) and the parents tossing them out. Try not to peek and disturb the parents too much during this sensitive time.

In the wild, Gouldians nest in tree canopies and I assume the chicks do not have much "cushion" to fall in their natural environment. Whatever the case, do as you see fit and if adding some natural bedding at the bottom of the aviary fixes your fancy, by all means, do so.

BEAUTIFUL birds by the way!

[debbie276]

They should be fine. If you do decide to put something to cushion the concrete be careful it doesn't get moldy being outside and in the weather. I also agree that you shouldn't disturb the parents too much during incubation.
Your birds and aviary look wonderful!
Best of luck

[Piciorusm]

Just beautifull aviary! What's the dog doing there? Is he dreaming about a meal or is he guarding them ?

[dfcauley]

I remember having the same fear when I had my first clutch of gouldians fledge.
I had the nest all the way near the ceiling and was so nervous. They just glided right down and were fine.
Now my aviary ceiling is almost 10 feet high. Everyone is fine and I don't worry anymore. My floor is also concrete. I have never had one to harm itself when it fledged. Now if one is tossed ... that is quite another story of course.

Your aviary is beautiful!!!

[Sally]

Beautiful aviary, and though I don't have your situation, I don't think you have to worry so much about those fledglings, they seem to do OK. This thread could be placed under the Gouldian section.

[G8love4finches]

Great looking aviary!....I'm in envy

[Don]

Thanks so much for all your comments. These are my first fledging, now I can breathe easy knowing the young birds will be ok. So far no toss yet (cross my fingers). The oldest clutch is about 14 days old. I have real tree inside the aviary with branches (perches) for the birds.

I had a koi pond (my other hobby) on one side of the back yard and the aviary on the other side. My dog keeps predators away, sometimes my dog gets too excited at any new birds but he would back off when I yell at him.

Here is my koi pond.