Need some insight Please, a couple of issues...

[Nanajennie]

I have a couple of questions/concerns.

As many of you know, Charlie and Lucy had Woodstock, who is 15 days old today. Charlie is gone and Lucy isn't going in the nest, at least that I have seen. She isn't touching the usually devoured eggfood and barely touching the Romaine lettuce/Cuc's that she usually gobbles up.

I have been peeking on Woodstock, and he seems to be growing. I can't get a look at his crops, and really don't want to have to pull him out for a look.

Today, after cleaning the cages and feeding everyone fresh foods, I peeked in on him to see him preening himself He was preening his wing feathers, and chest, and even scratched his head with his food! This is my first question Should he be doing that already? I thought the parents did all that. This is my second question
Would you pull him out and check his crop? If it is empty, should I start hand feeding? and then what? keep him in the nest between feedings? I really really do NOT want to hand feed. I can't commit, I work M-F

Thanks everyone I will get some shots of him shortly

[EyesofFreedom]

as they get older you will see them make less trips into the nest... this is one of their tricks for coaxing them out...

I say wait and see today... Lucy may be grieving Charlies loss but I don't think she will just abandon Woodstock... 15 days old is old enough that if he had to he could possibly make it on his own... yeah they still rely on their parents but if she does abandon him hunger will kick in and hopefully he will seek food himself and if he is strong and smart enough he will figure it out himself...

I know I know its a lot of ifs... but really what other alternative do you have... just provide lots of eggfood etc

[cindy]

You need to watch the baby when it fledges, some mothers do not feed once the baby fledges, dad usually has that duty. It will need feeding sometimes up to a week after fledging.

I would not pull the baby out of the nest, it may upset the mom even more and she may stop feeding all together. Continue to observe. If the baby id grooming itself that is a very good sign. If it was not getting enough nourishment it would be depressed and sleep more, you would also hear constant begging for a while then the baby gets to weak to even do that. Active baby is good!!!

If you have a lit dental mirror you might be able to get a better look at the crop....but best to observe from a far, watch mom. Usually with one the babies don't beg so much because the parents keep it well topped off.

[finchmix22]

Cindy is right. Watch and wait, even though that's hard. If baby seems to get weak or less active, you may want to check the crop. I'd let Mama adjust to her loss as long as baby is active. Give plenty of eggfood and shallow water dish, so baby can learn to eat and drink safely.

[DanteD716]

Id wait like the others suggested, once they start feathering up, parents stop sitting.

[chirpy]

Mine are barely in the nest too, only to really go back in to feed them, fill the crop up and leave.
George is 14 days old now, and fromabout day 12 during my peeking I have seen him preen himself when his eyes were barely open, I figured preening himself cant be bad so I just let it go
People on the forum had also told me if they are begging when the parents come back thats a good sign that they are fine. They are very quiet until one sets foot into the nest and its a uproar!!

So sorry about Charlie again, I know you must be devastated Best of luck to you

[Nanajennie]

Ok, thanks everyone. I am feeling much better.

Charlie was such an amazing attentive father, that I think I am just not used to the "calm" in the cage.... He would always be in and out.. even with his last clutch he was almost always in the nest up until the babies fedged, and even then, he was all over them. But I do have some pictures of Lucy feeding them on the perches.. so I hope all will be ok.

I didn't remember seeing them groom themselves in the nest last time, it was my first clutch and I was trying to leave them alone after getting scolded for messing with them too much LOL (anyone remember that!?) I was such a green newbie (still am )

Here is a video of Charlie today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K70HFROdRb8

And here is Lucy feeding here CFW chick.

Thanks Chirpy I am ok, getting easier every day. I will always miss him hopefully his chick will be as wonderful as he is!

[30 Seconds to Bob]

It has always amazed me how young they begin to preen - sometimes even before the eyes are open! Once those tiny wing feathers break the follicles, babies are already sticking them in their mouths. Aren't instincts beautiful?
If you're observing normal bird behavior such as preening from the chick, I would think he's developing on schedule. Good luck and keep us posted. Bob

[Ginene]

Nanajennie
Thank Goodness, Jennie. That chick is so pretty...WHITE??? Wow!!!

[Nanajennie]

30 Seconds to Bob thank you Bob... I really value that ....

[Nanajennie]

Ginene he was CFW with tears... not pure white.. he actually had some cheeks... let me try and find a pic This is the last I have ever seen of him

[Ginene]

Nanajennie
I love CFW! I was going to choose that mutation from Chelsea, but the Joe's liked the penguins better...why do I listen to them anyway??? Too much wine that night... .

[chirpy]

Nanajennie So adorable!!!! cage is so clean too no poopy photo bomb!

[Nerien]

Nanajennie The day my two zebra chicks fledged, Dad started plucking them. My son took the most amazingly clear and beautiful picture of him, holding three white fluffy feathers in his beak. So, Dad was immediately removed. Mom raised both fledglings to independence herself, just fine.


@Ginene Hey, if you want CFW's, I can raise some for you. My first pair of chicks are both CFW. All of my males are split for CFW, and I now have 2 CFW females as well as the male CFW. So my chance of getting more CFW's is really high. Tho they would be related, at most I can create cousins, unless I get ANOTHER zebra. So, when you're ready to go with your 5 pairs plus your penguins PLUS some CFW's, just let me know.

[TheWhiteFinchAviary]

Nanajennie I'm so sorry to hear about Charlie I must have missed that post. His baby and mate are looking great though. Preening always makes me paranoid too but it sounds like he is exhibiting normal healthy fledgie behavior.

@Ginene Hey, if you want CFW's, I can raise some for you.

I tried to tempt her with CFWs, Phaeos, GCs, BC CFWs.. she was solid on the Penguins