Is this normal? Fledgings/weaning feedings

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yourcharmedlife
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Is this normal? Fledgings/weaning feedings

Post by yourcharmedlife » Wed Jan 13, 2016 5:03 pm

4 zebra babies
born near Dec. 20th
they have all left the nest.
They can fly, perch...

Was wondering, the father has stopped feeding them all together, mama still does but only a few times a day. I know she is trying to teach them how to eat and a few of them ere eating and drinking ok. However the smallest/runt is not ready. All the babies chase the parents around begging loudly for food ALL DAY... and parents are not giving in, for the most half. Is this normal? Part of weaning them completely?

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Sally
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Re: Is this normal? Fledgings/weaning feedings

Post by Sally » Wed Jan 13, 2016 5:57 pm

Part of the weaning process is for the parents to ignore the begging of their babies, tough love. Keep an eye on them to make sure they are eating and drinking on their own, especially that littlest one. If necessary, you can try to supplement feed that one, though it is hard to get babies to accept hand feeding once they are old enough to fledge--they see us as predators at this stage.
3 Purple Grenadiers, 1 Goldbreast + 1 cat.

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ac12
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Re: Is this normal? Fledgings/weaning feedings

Post by ac12 » Thu Jan 14, 2016 1:52 am

Yup, I have 3 fledglings, 2 have weaned, but the 3rd is still BEGGING.
He can eat and drink, but he still BEGS. And follows dad around pulling at his tail trying to get dad to pay attention and feed him. He even got one of his siblings to feed him.
Gary

gouldians (GB,YB,BB), blackbelly firefinches (trying to breed), societies (foster parents).
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