Sad and Happy

readingfc · Post by **readingfc** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:22 pm

Sorry, this is a really long post - if you get bored half way through I understand

I've had quite an eventful week this week so far. On Saturday I went to the aviary and was looking at my finches when I looked down to the quails and noticed "necky", (our first finch we bought, and the mum to my first 3 zebra babies) lying on the floor dead. I went in and picked her up - she was still a bit warm so can't have been dead for long - she'd been eating ok but we think she was being picked on because she only had a couple of tail feathers left. I was really sad and buried her in the garden - bless her

Then the happy news - we've got 4 new zebra babies that have hatched and 6 more societies - I just can't resist them! BUT once all these have fledged I am definitely taking out the nests - I couldn't bear to let them go to other homes - I've got attached to them all. Anyway, the zebra's (this is the original dad and a new female which we bought when Necky was ill recently!) had laid 4 eggs, all of which hatched in a canary nest cup which we had attached to the box in the aviary quite high up for the doves to sit in! The lip of the cup was level with the top of the box and one of the baby zeb's I could see keep hopping out and onto the box. Then, I found it on the floor, fast asleep and dad peeping at him/her so I lifted the baby back up and put it in the nest. It can flaps its wings so must be near ready to fledge. The other babies were all on the top of the box, near the apex of the aviary roof, all sitting safely. We decided to take the nest away because it seemed pointless if the babies were hopping and falling out anyway!
This happened again this morning before I left for work and I couldn't spend any more time keep putting this one baby back up the top. I've nicknamed this one Houdini because he/she keeps escaping from the others. Got home today from work and he/she was on the floor again with dad peeping around. I put the baby back on top and he/she has stayed there thank goodness - hopefully he/she has learnt to stay put for a while. I realise now that they really are tough little birds! With no natural predator this baby may have been able to stay put but I wanted him/her back with the others.
What does everyone else do with their babies and their fledging- do you just let them get on with it or do you worry like me?

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:48 pm

It's natural to worry about the little ones. I used to try and keep them in the nest when I thought they were too young to be out and about but the chicks always had other plans. So I learned to let them do what they will and only interevene when danger was imminent.

You may loose a few along the way, but in the wild only the tough survive so why coddle them now.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:19 pm

hi reading
i do both,i know its pointless as they will carry on popping out of the nest regardless of how many times you put them back..but it doesnt stop you worrying at least they learn to stay put on a night time as they usually know where the warmest place is ..if you are worried about them do like i do and put some perches from the ground progressivly upwards so at least they can hop up to a higher place and not on the ground

ken

readingfc · Post by **readingfc** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 5:43 pm

brilliant advice - thank you. I put a lower perch in this morning and the baby seemed to find it easier. Think I may have to put another one in tomorrow to help it some more.

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:54 pm

hi reading
its just a matter of thinking what needs to be done to help the young get about more easily as there wings get stronger they will be able to do it in one leap but again like humans they have to walk round the furniture before they can walk..its justa case of thinking outside the box....good luck with them anyway

ken