Babies not being fed....HELP ME PLEASE

[MicheleTx]

I am really scared my baby zebras arent being fed anymore....when I put fresh eggs in a dish the momma and daddy go down eat it and the poor babies just sit right next to them crying and neither one feeds them...I am about to cry its so sad...please someone help me...I am going to petsmart to get baby formula .....in the mean time can i feed them grits...anything help me please

[bugaboo5]

How old are the babies? And when was the last time the parents fed the babies? If the babies are on the floor next to the parents, I'm assuming they are at the fledgling stage? The babies may not take formula from you. Have you checked to see if their crops are empty or full? I would try providing the parents with egg food, spray millet, and whatever favorite foods they like so that the abundance of food can trigger their reflexes to feed their young. Don't worry -- everything should be fine.

[MicheleTx]

4 weeks tomorrow

[dfcauley]

Maybe they are being fed and you don't realize it. Fledgings scream alot for food, even when they aren't really that hungry. How do the babies look? I don't think I would feed them grits. They probably won't let you feed them at this point unless you crop or force feed and I wouldn't advise that unless you were experienced. Put them back into the nest tonight and the might aggravate the parents enough that they will feed.

[bugaboo5]

4 weeks tomorrow

Oh goodness, they will be fine then! How long have the fledglings been out of the nest? The parents are trying to wean them naturally. Eventually, once the parents are annoyed enough, they will supplementary feed little by little. If you still have a nest in the cage, I would temporarily remove it so that the parents do not have the urge to start a new clutch too quickly. Don't worry - c'est normal! You had me a little worried -- I thought they were 2 or 3 weeks old. Start providing easy to eat foods for the babies - make it accessible. Provide fresh greens for the parents - parents love to feed their babies veggies. The fledglings should start picking at food soon. They'll be just fine.

[MicheleTx]

yes 1 of the babies was picking at the smashed egg I put on a lid in the cage but daddy is eating it all.....they do cry alot...thank you for reassuring me...I dont wanna loose the babies I lost the first clutch..only 1 hatched and it died 3 days later

[MicheleTx]

but the babies love to go in the nest...are you sure I should take the nest away....I feel like a meanie

[bugaboo5]

but the babies love to go in the nest...are you sure I should take the nest away....I feel like a meanie

Hahaha, you can keep the nest in the cage if you want. If the parents have raised the babies for four weeks, there's little that can go wrong now at this point. They will be fine. If you do decide to keep the nest in the cage, be prepared for round 2 because very soon, mom and dad will want to have another go-around for more babies.

If you have spray millet, provide some for the babies. Those are top favorites for babies learning to eat. Babies will emulate what their parents do and will start to learn to de-husk seed, as well as learn to drink. Sprouted seeds are wonderful food as well. You are doing good by providing the egg food. Some greens as mentioned earlier would be stellar.

[MicheleTx]

lol...you make me laugh.....for real ..they breed that fast....oh my....Ok I will be a meanie and take the nest out.....grrr...I feel so bad!!!!

[bugaboo5]

Yes, I'm definitely for real. Zebras are like rabbits and love to make babies. At four weeks, mom and dad should be already planning for more babies - eggs should start being laid in a week to two weeks time. As long as the fledglings are in a nice warm place, they should be fine without a nest. If they can perch, they can hang out with their parents on the various perches you have in the cage, or they can hang out on the floor and huddle together.

[MicheleTx]

ok the nest is out and I put a bowl of water on the floor maybe the babies will play in it....

[bugaboo5]

Great. Just make sure the water bowl is not so deep that the fledglings can got caught in it and possibly drown. They will be perfectly fine. Good luck to you!

[L in Ontario]

Also, give this thread a read - it has some Essential Points for everyone - newbies and the more experienced.

http://finchforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=21148

[MicheleTx]

both babies hangin with momma

[MicheleTx]

the whole fame damily