Fledgling is assisting mother

[MariusStegmann]

I have a SG parrotfinch fledgling that have left the nest 18 days ago. The parents are sitting on 4 eggs again and I have seen that the one fledgling is assisting the parents in incubating the eggs in so much that her tail feathers has developed a permanent kink to the one side. Some on her other siblings still beg for food from the father still. Something tells that I must keep this little hen, she would make an excellent breeder in about 3 months time.

[Rox]

Definitely a bird to keep for breeding with! I've found the longer you can leave them in with their parents, for some experience, the better

[Smurf]

That's unusual for youngsters, especially as tail is crooked which is generally a sign that she's sitting tight. I'd say she's a keeper alright for future breeding.

[MariusStegmann]

Debora's SG youngsters started feeding a Forbes PF youngster after the parents stopped feeding it, which is very amazing. Strange things happens with birds, somethings good, sometimes not so good.

[isobea]

I agree, that's definitely a hen to keep! A few years back, I had a pair of Gouldians with four seven day old babies when suddenly, in the morning, I found the male dead on the floor of my aviary (no signs of trauma). I was so worried about those four ever-hungry mouths, but then I noticed an older sister (from the previous clutch) assisting her mom! Together they successfully raised all four babies and she became an amazing mother hen herself.
Good luck,
Iso