Help New Fledglings ???

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:38 am

Hi, this is my second clutch of babies and two fledged this morning, Dad is chasing them around the cage, yesterday he chased them both back into the nest. What is he doing, is he teaching them to fly or what? It looks pretty scary and Mom and Dad are sqawking like crazy...is this normal. First clutch Dad passed shortly after babies hatched and Mom did it on her own. They are Zebra finches. The poor little guys look terrified. What will happen here. Thanks in advance. Anxious Finch Mom.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:00 pm

He wants to nest again...remove the box...if it makes no difference remove the male.

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 1:17 pm

Poohbear there are still 3 babies in the nest that haven't fledged yet, they chased one back into the nest and the other is hovering in a corner. So two fledged and one got chased back in. The white fledge is all alone will watch to see if he gets fed. The chasing has stopped for the moment, but both chase them back to the nest. Any ideas? Ok it is chasing time again...dad started, so I tried to catch him to seperate and couldn't just stressed everyone out so much flying around, mom dad beaks open don't want to kill my babies with stress, 2 are out and 3 still in nest ????? Dad is quiet right now...but.....Help

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:19 pm

Looks like there's not much to be done at the moment..is the male attacking or just chasing them back to the nest?
If he's attacking he's GOT to be seperated somehow.If the cage is indoors see if you can let him out of the cage on his own ...then catch him in the room.I wouldn't recommend using him for further breeding.

I have mentioned many times on here how important it is when designing or buying a cage to have a central divider.When it comes to catching up one bird it's impossible not to panic all the rest without one.
A lot of the cages and flights I've seen look great...when empty.Maintaining the birds and the cage is another story.
GOOD LUCK

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:25 pm

Pooh bear thank you so much for your response, he was chasing and pecking at them, I now have 4 back in the nest and one fledgling out. He wouldn't let them on the floor of the cage. They took refuge on the highest perch in the corners, I chased him out into the room and caught him and he is now in his own cage on the other side of the house. Hopefully mom can keep up with 5 babies all by herself. He is so quiet now. In a way it looks good on him. Hopefully they all adjust to the new arrangement. I will keep you posted and any advice would be greatly appreciated. They were doing so good feeding and grooming. What went wrong???

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:37 pm

She will need the young 'uns to feed themselves soon as possible...give them some soaked seed...easier for young beaks...soak small amounts and rinse thoroughly...don't keep it too long as it will form mould that can kill birds...little and often.Give them some grated hard boiled egg too.

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:31 pm

Thanks again Poohbear, I had been giving them grated egg, shell and all, and grated carrot. Thanks, I will soak some seed, so far they are all back in the nest, He was calling her, so i moved him into a bedroom where she can't hear him over the radio between them and she settled down, went and fed the white fledgling that had been hiding in the corner, then coaxed him gently to the nest. She is now feeding everyone in the nest and the cage is calm. Thanks, it has been a worry day from H*ll and if not for the advice you gave I don't know what I would have done. Gone crazy maybe....Thanks again.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:57 am

No problem....just send money

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:27 am

Paul doesnt really want money for helping you Dusty, what he would like most is a few dozen pairs of zebras to replace the gouldians that I just stole from his aviary

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:36 am

You wouldn't have much luck mate...

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:38 am

your right, it will be a while before I can help myself. have to train some seagulls to make lots of deposits on your cameras

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:15 am

I was going to offer him my Bad Dad. I am sad that my Zebra's have so many personality issues. Dad looks so pitiful alone, he isn't even singing today yet. The white one left the nest again today and so far she hasn't chased him back in. Hopefully they soon will all fledge so they can learn to eat on their own and give Mom a break. I can't find how long to soak the seed, can you tell me, so I am ready. Thanks, cool survelliance set up BTW.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:14 pm

Seed can just be soaked overnight...or boiled for a couple of minutes but to get full nutrition it should be allowed to sprout...check out the link it applies to all finches.There's a host of information on there.

http://www.ladygouldianfinch.com/featur ... gseeds.mgi

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:28 pm

Thanks again poohbear.

Dusty · Post by **Dusty** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 7:56 pm

OK so I soaked seed and boiled seed, to be ready and they won't come to the cage floor, Mom kept chasing them to the nest and feeds them there. There are three that come in and out freely. Is this normal, I thought they would be following Mom down to learn to eat. It is day three since the first one left, Five babies and two have never left the nest??? What to expect in their behaviour??? I am confused. How can I help MOM!!
Dad is pretty lonely, do they ever get a second chance to be good Dads. LOL Really I don't know.