Fire babies... shhhhhhhhh! Fledged today!

[L in Ontario]

I don't think there is any reason they should not continue to grow and fledge in about a week's time... so I'm sharing this pic with you. They are with my pair of male Societies who hatched them and have gotten them this far.

There are two dud eggs and two fake eggs in with them. I'm getting them ready for more Fire eggs (going to be transferred to them this week).

[Sally]

Ah, they are adorable! How great to have Societies that will feed them. And more on the way--lucky you!

[Pukasand]

Great job, Liz. Look at the color on their tails already! Mine have just gone back to nesting again. Hope I'm as lucky as you.

[lovemyfinch]

What a beautiful sight

[Domenic]

Congrats!! I love the little splash of red pin feathers on their tails.

[CandoAviary]

Precious chicks and I too just love the 'blushing butts'

[monotwine]

Too cute. You really have a great pair of fosters there.

[dfcauley]

Adorable babies. Congrats Liz!

[L in Ontario]

Thanks everyone!

Great job, Liz. Look at the color on their tails already! Mine have just gone back to nesting again. Hope I'm as lucky as you.

Thank you Judy. It's such a shame my Fire adults won't raise the chicks themselves. They incubate perfectly, then the second the eggs hatch, they toss and mame/mutilate. So I'm going to remove all their eggs tonight to the Socs, as I believe the eggs are only a few days away from hatching. I've given the Fire adults plenty of chances to redeem themselves only to come home to dead hatchlings in the cage - close to ten clutches (all lost) since getting them in 2008. These are the first two surviving chicks from them!

[Pukasand]

OH, wow, Liz,... 10 clutches??? Which parent is the culprit? That's such a shame. I am very fortunate.. mine are very dedicated and attentive parents. They had their first 2 clutches at the beginning of this year. Two newborn chicks were lost due to a big nose that was poked in their nest ( ).. they abandoned. The next clutch was 2 more healthy chicks which they tended to faithfully. I took the nest(s) out to give them a rest. The male has been dragging their daily greens into the mineral cup for a nest, so I gave in and put it back, they prefer the tube ones. It has been about 4-5 months, so I think it's okay. They have just about finished their new nest... so.... time will tell. I'm hoping for a larger clutch, but I guess smaller, get more attention/nutrition. Whichever, I hope mine are are healthy looking and beautiful as yours.
PS I have Societys on standby also.

[L in Ontario]

OH, wow, Liz,... 10 clutches??? Which parent is the culprit? That's such a shame.

Yes it is a shame. They've laid 3 clutches in 2008, 3 clutches in 2009 and this is their second clutch now in 2010 - so yes almost 10 clutches wasted. I believe it's the male but I'm never in the birdroom when the tossing takes place.

[Hilary]

Liz, I just lost a clutch with an experienced male and a first-time domestically-raised hen, so I feel the pain of finding chicks all over the cage. My male has only raised once, and that's when I fed mealies non-stop, even when they killed the first chick and put it out (as a test, I think). I didn't let them trick me (this time ) and kept feeding the mealies, and they raised two. That's been my total success, though. None of my societies will touch the fuzzy chicks - you're lucky!

[monotwine]

Are these the red billed firefinches (Senegals). Just curious. Mine when they were young abandoned their young, but after two failed attempts have become really good and attentive parents. I don't think mine were wild caught though. Perhaps they are from a few generations of aviary bred birds.
I found two hatchlings a few days ago (third clutch from this pair). They are sneaky little things and I think I am just going to continue feeding my austerity diet, as I am in the middle of winter! They so far seem to be coping just fine. No live food etc. Crazy in my aviary. Eggs eggs and more breeding. I think my birds are confused. We have been having strange weather. Hot days then a week of cold rain etc. Poor critters keep thinking spring is almost here.

[L in Ontario]

You're very fortunate Hilary that your Fires raised two of their own. I so wish these ones would do that but I've pretty well given up hope and can only attribute it to them being in a breeding cage rather than a flight or aviary setting.

Yes Monique these are the Senegal Fire Finches. I imagine yours are in a decent sized aviary? Maybe I should try moving the wicker/bamboo nest right to the very back of the cage. Right now it's on the side but in the middle of the side wall. I'll try moving it tonight and give them one last chance. Maybe I'll sell them to someone / anyone who can house them in a much larger enclosure. I mean they are happy and comfortable enough now to breed but not raise their own.

[cindy]

such pretty little babies.....congratulations Liz.