When to intervene?

amandap · Post by **amandap** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:22 am

So one of my Zebra pairs has hatched at least one baby. We were able to see a little bit of fuzz moving around on Friday. Since then, we haven't been able to see anything! They have the wicker finch nests and have completely covered the entrance with paper. At the urging of others on the forum, I've left them alone. My question is this, how long? I guess I don't know what, if anything, I should be doing.

I've seen so many pictures of people holding brand new hatchlings. I can't even figure out how one would get them out of a nest. We'd half to dump them out, or cut open the nest, both of which seem like the wrong answer. What are people doing?

amandap · Post by **amandap** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 10:24 am

The photo is turned, the nest isn't actually on its side!

Post by **Sally** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 11:40 am

Can you hear babies begging? You should be able to hear something, though sometimes it takes a few days after hatching for the begging sounds to be audible to us. Yes, the only way to get babies out of that nest is to dump them out. I have done it, if you are careful and gentle, it doesn't hurt them, but I don't advise doing it, the parents may abandon.

When you see photos of babies being held in someone's hand, don't feel that you need to do the same. Those babies may be hand feds that were abandoned, or they may be babies from a very accessible nest, such as a wooden box with a lift-up lid. Gouldian babies are often in this type nest box, so they are easy to get to. Wicker hooded nests make it very difficult.

amandap · Post by **amandap** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 1:38 pm

Sally, I can't hear anything. Of course the others are so noisy, I think the babies will have to be loud before I can hear them.

On one of their very rare changing of the guards a little while ago, we got another peek at some moving fuzz. That tells me there's at least one live baby still. I guess we'll just keep our fingers crossed.

paul-inAZ · Post by **paul-inAZ** » Sun Jun 28, 2015 5:10 pm

The question is not when to intervene but WHY.

CHIRP · Post by **CHIRP** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 1:51 am

After 4-5 days after hatching they are audible, you can hear them.

amandap · Post by **amandap** » Mon Jun 29, 2015 4:44 pm

CHIRP That would be Tuesday or Wednesday. That is very helpful. Thank you!

CHIRP · Post by **CHIRP** » Tue Jun 30, 2015 3:56 am

My birds I have found all my young start to get audible around 5 days, when mommy goes into the nest they start to make noises, just listen carefully.Very soon it sounds like 100 chicks are in the nest when in fact only one or two can make such a lot of noise. Good luck.

OAvila1986 · Post by **OAvila1986** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:31 pm

I would suggest do nothing. Let the parents take care of them. If they die you won't know why the parents will take it out. If any don't hatch the parents will eat the egg or take it out. I think that would happen. Good luck and congrats!

Post by **delray** » Tue Jul 07, 2015 10:43 pm

amandap I agree with the others. Do not intervene @ all. It will be a big surprise when/if those zebra babies fledge!!! Parents have been spending lots of time nest I am guessing right?

amandap · Post by **amandap** » Wed Jul 08, 2015 11:49 am

Thanks everyone for the tips. I really felt so helpless! I'm happy to say that there are two healthy nestlings in this clutch. One played peek-a-boo with me this morning. He would stick his face up to the nest opening, look at me, then pop his head back down. Then he would wait a few seconds and do it all over again. It was adorable!!

AND we have two (I think) babies in another nest now as well.

Now... what to do with all of these birds?!?

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