Handfed Fire Finch Baby - Photos

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:38 am

good luck with the hand feeding Sally. not an easy task to undertake

Post by **Sally** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:27 am

Well, I think I need to stop posting about these guys--I keep jinxing myself. I posted on Thursday, and on Friday, I lost one of the BCCB chicks. Have no idea what happened, it was doing fine, eating well, begging, they were even finally making tiny little peep noises when they begged. It ate fine during the morning and at noon, and then in the afternoon, it was gone--just like that. I had posted on the NFSS forum about the handfeeding, asking for advice from the experts, and the woman who is regarded as one of the best said that you will just lose some, so many things can go wrong. Anyway, I think I'd better keep my mouth shut till they fledge.

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:11 am

you have probably already seen this Sally, here's a link to an article on handfeeding

http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/spenser.htm

Post by **Sally** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:32 am

Thanks for that link, mick! It's an excellent article which I hadn't seen before, and I learned some new things. For one, I think I am keeping my brooder too warm, which may be dehydrating those babies.

Anyway, I just lost the last BCCB baby a few days ago, and this time I know what happened. I have been down with a bad cold, was doing a feeding in the midst of a raging fever, and I fed either too much at a time or too fast and aspirated the poor little thing, as it died within minutes.

On a more cheerful note, the only survivor of this oddysey is about ready to fledge, it managed to get out of the canary nest yesterday when I went to feed it. I have kept the brooder in the bathroom, and when I turn on the light, it starts begging for food. I don't normally name my finches, but this one needs a name. Since it is a Fire finch, I won't know the sex for some months, and since it is such a bobblehead when begging, it is Bobbie, which can be a boy or girl. This little one is really close to me now.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:35 am

Aw so sorry about losing the most recent baby to aspiration - it's so difficult and delicate to handfeed.

That's terrific about Bobbie about to fledge though! Wonderful!

Post by **Sally** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 2:41 pm

Here's Bobbie!

Just had lunch.

Thinking about flying off.

Just banded.

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:00 pm

He's adorable! Keeping my fingers crossed that he stays well.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 3:46 pm

OMG - can I have him? He's beautiful!!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:23 am

Sally it shouldnt be months until you can sex the little one.
young male firefinches will start to show patches of color at about 6 weeks of age, mainly on the chest area.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 9:22 am

Bobbie...you are just too darn cute!

bonnies_gouldians · Post by **bonnies_gouldians** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:11 pm

OMG How cute!!! (S)he is starting to look like a little bird now! Congrats and well wishes to this little guy, I hope he makes it to a healthy, adult finch for you. Again, adorable!

sean · Post by **sean** » Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:07 pm

nice job sally!

it sounded like it was a really rough journey but your little guy (or girl) is really freakin awesome. congrats.

is that little guy imprinted on people now?