FINCHforum

My pair of zebra finches have had their first clutch of 3 eggs 2 of which have hatched and survived to 8 days old today I was wondering as the parents have been cooped up in their cage since they laid eggs when I would be able to let them out of the cage to fly without the likelihood of them plausibly abandoning their hatchlings?

Sorry I can't help you with this, as I've never let my breeding birds have free flight, they are always confined to their cages. Perhaps someone else on here will have experience with this.

Cookie&Creme --- I don't recommend it.

I give my guys free flight time, but not when they have littles. My guys tend to get engaged and distracted very easily when they're out of the cage, so I'd fear they'd get distracted, lose track of time and ignore the babies.

I wouldn't do it unless they're experienced, confident parents (mine aren't) who you know won't ignore the babies or abandon the nest. And if I did, I'd hawk them to ensure someone's with the babies at all times.