Firefinches Layin'

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:15 pm

OKay.. someone ate the second egg too. It's missing now too!

I'm going to have to separate the fids if they can't play nicely together. I just hope the firefinches will get back into this breeding behaviour once they are separated from the indigos.

Sighs....

Jeannette

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:23 pm

That is very frustrating! I wonder who the culprit is. If you have a webcam, maybe you can set it up to monitor them while you're not in the room. I did this for my breeding birds and learned a lot about their behavior. I hope you find a solution, though, because it would be awfully neat if you got those birds to breed!

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 8:21 pm

I'm going to be separating them from the indigos tonight. I"ve seen that they seem to be more likely to breed when they are WITH the indigos. However, right about now, I'd rather them NOT eat the eggs and get into the habit of doing that.

And if I split them up, I'll know whether it's the firefinches eating their own eggs, or the indigos.. At least it will narrow it down a little. I have no webcam, but I tell ya, I've been REAL tempted to go to the spy store and buy one of those mini spy cameras and set it up.

Wish I was rich. LOL

Jeannette

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:38 pm

Okay.. *knocking on wood*

The firefinches laid eggs starting May4th, and have laid 4 eggs. One accidentally got kicked out of the nest because I saw it on the floor of the cage, and I BELIEVE there are still 3 eggs in the nest. I wouldn't know of course, becuase the little beggar would let me see inside it. I do know they are probably fertile though becuase the one that broke was. Pouts.

However, she also is not LEAVING the nest except to eat quickly and then she's back in, or the male takes a turn while she eats.

Incubation is 12 to 14 days, and today is day 12. I think the only indication I'm going to find that there are babies in the next is when she starts to leave to get food to feed them and then when I start hearing begging noises.

*crossing my fingers*

Here's hoping..

Jeannette

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:51 pm

How thrilling! Give any chicks that hatch about 3 days post hatching to become audible beggers. Although it is sad the egg that broke was fertile, it is good to know that your birds are successfully producing fertile eggs. Here's hoping you have 3 adorable chicks fledge in a few weeks! I hope to see lots of pictures someday! I'm also happy to hear that your pair is incubating tightly... good sign!

Post by **Hilary** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:52 pm

I've got my fingers crossed for you! They are sneaky little buggers! My cbs have done the same thing - I can't tell WHAT's in that nest! They are taking turns, though, so hopefully......

Let us know when you hear squeeks!!!!

Hilary

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:01 pm

Does anyone know what kind of sounds the baby firefinches make? I think these are Jameson's or Blue-billed firefinches.

I tried to look in there again today, and she's STILL on there tighter than a frog's butt in water.

And I can look right up at her, 16inches away and she just blinks and looks at me. LMAO.. I think she's testing my patience..

MUssstt... hold.... onnnn...

Jeannette

Post by **Hilary** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:34 pm

You can do it! (Or rather, they better!) You're ALMOST there! Even my toes are crossed..... (it's really hard to walk) Hilary

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Sun May 21, 2006 1:32 pm

Alright Hilary! you can uncross your toes!

We have three baby firefinches, just hatched this morning. Three days LATE, but better late than never at all.

2 are free of their shells and one was still curled up in half the shell, but not moving. I dont know if this is good or not, but we'll wait and see what mama bird does.

I dont want to intervene as this is their first successful clutch.

YAYYYYYYYYYYYY

Jeannette

Post by **Hilary** » Sun May 21, 2006 1:49 pm

WOOHOO!!! Congrats Jeannette!!! Hopefully #3 is just really tired and will perk up quickly! (Whew, I can walk normally again!) Let us know how they do!

Hilary

Crystal · Post by **Crystal** » Sun May 21, 2006 3:00 pm

Yay! I want lots of pictures when it's safe to take them! :)

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Sun May 21, 2006 3:09 pm

Congrats Jeannette

JeannetteD · Post by **JeannetteD** » Mon May 22, 2006 1:24 pm

*insert crying smiley face here*

Bad news.. the one in the shell did not make it, and this morning there was a little fuzzy baby dead on the floor of the cage, and another buried under the nesting material and it was cold and dead too.

I thought it was all going to be downhill from here because she was such a good sitter, but apparently not.

She had lots of live food, egg, seed, etc...but for some reason she just wasn't interested in keeping them I guess.

So sad..

Jeannette

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Mon May 22, 2006 3:53 pm

Heartbreaking news.

Hopefully they will do better with their next clutch.

Post by **Hilary** » Mon May 22, 2006 7:24 pm

I'm so sorry! At least the good news is that they seem to be learning a little more each time. Such a hard way to learn, though.

Hilary