Update on First Successful Clutch

[SirPeepsALot]

The first of Minuet and Noelle's peep babies has finally left the nest! Here are some pictures of the little miracle!

One question, though. If you look at its tail feathers and its rear end in general, you can see that it's got a lot of poop on itself back there. Is that normal? Do I need to take it out and clean it, or spray it with my water bottle? Or will it learn to bathe on its own or molt those feathers away?

[finchmix22]

Congrats on the fledges! I can't see anything on the tail feathers, but the pics are not close enough and are blurry. However, if they look clumped or stuck together, I'd offer a warm water bath/bowl and see if it'll go in and take a bath. Sometimes, after parents take a bath, then fledges follow suit. If not, you can wipe the feathers with a warm wet paper towel or something similar.

[SirPeepsALot]

I know my male society loves baths. He takes a bath every time I change the bath water. Even if it's the third or fourth time that day, lol. I don't see my adult societies don't much bathing, though.

Would a wash cloth be too harsh if I have to clean the babies myself? I am rather worried that they might get sick of I leave them all poopy.

There's so much I don't know! I feel like everything is some crucial issue that I don't know how to deal with. I wonder if this is what new parents feel like.

[finchmix22]

I've cleaned babies bottoms with a baby wash cloth and warm water, no soap. Just make sure they're dry and not near a draft.

[SirPeepsALot]

Well, my apartment is in a newly constructed, energy efficient building. I don't think drafts are a problem, lol.

I don't have any baby cloths, though. I only have normal wash cloths, dish towels, things like that.

[finchmix22]

If they are soft, they should be fine.

[SirPeepsALot]

Will the babies be as difficult to catch and keep hold of as the parents are? I hate having to catch them for any reason because they always act like I'm about to eat them.

[finchmix22]

They usually can't fly that well, but they are squirmy little ones. I hold them with the head between my index finger and middle finger and the rest are wrapped around the breast. Gently wipe with the warm and wet cloth in the direction the feathers are growing. Just talk softly to the babies and keep the door closed in case they escape.

[SirPeepsALot]

Ok, I'll give that a try. I'll definitely have to shut my cat in the bathroom while I do that, though. The cage is too high for her to get at, but I wouldn't want to take the risk of one of them getting out of my grip while she's out. Or of her being her usual curious self about the little life in my hand.

[finchmix22]

It might be better to take the cage to the bathroom and that way they will be easier to catch. Also, keep the toilet seat down so they don't fall in.

[SirPeepsALot]

That is a really good idea! Thank you! Small room, no windows, quick access to the sink to freshen up the cloth, and no real hiding places to lose them if they get away.

[SirPeepsALot]

Something else I just noticed tonight. Their society uncle Castiel is now sleeping in the nest with them while momma and papa sleep outside the nest on a perch. This whole time, Noelle wouldn't let Cas anywhere near the nest, and now he's sleeping in it with the babies. Is that also normal? Should I be concerned that he might smother them?

[debbie276]

Normal for society's from what I hear and there's no worry that he will smother the chick