fledglings mixing with the rest of the aviary.

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:30 pm

My zebra babies have been fledglings for at least a week now. When can I move the whole family back to the big aviary? They are still asking their parents for food but I have seen them eating seed on their own.
The other birds shouldn't bully them. The only bird I don't know about would be the European gold breast. He is bigger but seems very gentle. Never saw him bully the Orange wax bill or button quail when caged with them.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Aug 24, 2008 6:59 pm

If its just been a week thats not long enough to be weaned.they need to be feed for awhile yet even if you see them eat some on there own

Post by **Sally** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:41 am

I agree, they should stay where they are till they are completely independent. These are stressful times for the babies, and stress can always cause illness.

yu016 · Post by **yu016** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:20 pm

I agree, stress is the biggest problem for young finches. Weaning usually takes 2/3 weeks after fledging. I always give my young Gouldians 4 weeks before seprating them into their own flight cage.

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:02 am

They wouldn't be separated from their parents just put in a bigger cage with other birds. Do you still think I should keep them put?

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:56 am

Move 'em when you're SURE the chicks are self feeding in case the parents refuse to feed due to the move.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:27 am

I have found that 4 weeks seems to be enough time to make certain they are feeding themselves

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:34 pm

Today I found that the parents have 3 new eggs in the nest. Now should I move the family? I really didn't want to have more Zebras. lol

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:49 pm

Remove the eggs ,if there not sleeping in the nest at night I would remove the nest also thats the only way I think you can stop zebs from having more chicks

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:36 am

They are all still piling in the nest at night to sleep....on top of the eggs. lol

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:27 am

Some species of finches like to roost more than others in a nest. Zebras are one of those species. I would just remove the nest. It's been more than a week. Birds don't need no stinkin' nest.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:22 am

if you are a softy and leave the nest in you will need to remove the eggs in there at present and you will be removing eggs continuously for quite a while. once zebras start breeding they can be obstinate little buggers, just dont know when to quit

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:39 pm

I'm not that much of a softy. Out they go!

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:45 pm

Good choice