handfeeding update./ mom and dad are feeding again!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue May 26, 2009 5:20 am

..
Yes Sally,

This pair has had three clutches this year. Too many....... they are taking a rest. This clutch was not supposed to happen, but .......

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue May 26, 2009 11:27 am

I pulled the babies this morning. I am hand feeding them completely.

They are actually taking the food from me really well with no problems. I am going to post a picture of this later today.

My concern is that these babies are now 25 days old and should have already fledged. They are so small.

Any suggestion of offering them other foods?

I also want to say.... this is my first handfeeding experience. I have brought them to work with me today as the children are out of school and I am just doing paperwork in my classroom. It has been so rewarding to open the little lid on their box and have them to see me and immediately open their mouths. Each time I feed them gets easier. It is now going to be devastating to loose them if something happens. They are so cute!

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Tue May 26, 2009 10:55 pm

I am glad they are eating from you. Hand fed babies are sooo sweet. Once they figure out you are food then they love, love, love you

If you are feeding a handfeeding formula mixed with water then they should start putting on some wait, hopefully catching up in size. I would keep millet spray where they can nibble at it. They may always be a little stunted and small, but that could be from being the 4th clutch. Offspring tend to get smaller and weaker with over breeding.
But you have saved them. And they are now your sweet babies. I am so glad...can't wait to see the pictures.

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Wed May 27, 2009 7:38 am

Keep going Donna, I'm sure they'll do fine.

hfentj · Post by **hfentj** » Wed May 27, 2009 8:41 am

It is nice to read some good happenings in the Health section

. Best of luck with your babies Donna.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Wed May 27, 2009 11:45 pm

How are those babies eating? I am sure you have named them by now....

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu May 28, 2009 5:35 am

CandoAviary wrote:How are those babies eating? I am sure you have named them by now....

I am feeding them every 2-3 hours.... no names yet.

I am afraid if I name them it wil jinx them.

They are funny.... yesterday at school I had been in a meeting. When I entered my empty classroom they heard my voice and started beeping.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:52 am

Wow - good job, Donna! You take them with you where ever you go?!

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:07 pm

L in Ontario wrote:Wow - good job, Donna! You take them with you where ever you go?!

So far I have.... I had three days this week at school without students.
I really wish they could have been there. They would have loved this....

Today was my last day so I am home now for the summer.
I will just have to stay close to home for a while or take with me. They are eating well so far and all is well. Again.... not geting too excited about this . I know how it could end.......

Finch Fry · Post by **Finch Fry** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:09 pm

Donna, these finches have the BEST chance possible with you. If they dont make it, its unlikely that mother nature herself could have save them.

Now, crappy thoughts aside, they will be fine. You will hand raise some awesome fids and just think, they can be free range in your house and in your bedroom and fly to you. (wonder what the husband will think of this)

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Fri May 29, 2009 4:34 pm

I just finished feeding the babies. I thought I would post a picture. I wanted to wait a while until they looked better and this is not the BEST picture, but you have to use your imagination....

This is the fourth day I have been hand feeding them. They hear me when I go into the room they are in and start begging before they even see me Today they are beginning to try to fly a little. Not much , but at least flapping their wings. They are soooo behind..... They

will be a month old on the first day of June.......I have had millet in their little shoebox for the past two days, but haven't seen them pick at it yet.
They are trying to jump out of the box so I have put the box into a cage

But we are making progress and I feel there is hope for these babies now.

Their feathers look a little pitiful, but that is because I am not the neatest
feeder and they have dried food on them. I have to clean them up after
every feeding.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Fri May 29, 2009 4:59 pm

They look very sweet, full and alert!

lovemyfinch · Post by **lovemyfinch** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:51 pm

Cute pics.

Happy, Healthy babies.

Post by **Sally** » Fri May 29, 2009 10:11 pm

They look great, Donna. Since they haven't fledged yet, they probably won't even try to eat on their own till they do. My fledglings first attempt at food is usually the eggfood. You can also try offering them hulled millet (you can usually get it at places like wild bird centers). But don't be surprised if they don't even try to eat on their own for a while yet. As old as they are, you would be safe to stretch out the feedings just a bit, instead of every two hours. Good luck with it.

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:27 pm

Good Job Donna

They look like they are eating well..full crops. Looks like the worries are over. They are sweet babies...you will have a hard time letting these go.... I usually end up keeping all my handfed... the bond is just too strong to part with them....fortunately I don't have to feed too many

I always manage to get egg food on everyone...myself included. With the last batch of Zebras I was handfeeding, once they got older one would preen the dried formula off the other. I would try and wipe them well with a paper towel but they still were a mess. No harm done though...they got old enough to bathe and they look beautiful now