Babies

jeanne223 · Post by **jeanne223** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:48 am

Good morning all,
Bad news I found a baby on the floor last nite. I put it back in but found it dead this morning. The momma came out and I noticed that there are 4 babies and they are all so much bigger than the little one that died. I also noticed a little hole in the bottom of the nest big enough for that little one to have fallen out. I have not seen the Mom or Dad tossing any babies so do you think it just fell out because the nest is small and the hole was there? Do you think I should leave the others in there or foster them to my Societys? Please help
Jeanne

tammy w · Post by **tammy w** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 9:04 am

Thats sad,Im not expierenced enough to help out but maybe the parents new he wasnt thriving and just threw him out?
I hope someone can give you some advise,goodluck.

jeanne223 · Post by **jeanne223** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:45 am

I really think that it was because this little one was hatched out at least a week after all the others. The others are all so much bigger so I am hoping that all will go well with them. This is the third time that they have laid eggs and the only successful time. The other two times the eggs were not fertile. So, I am excited but finding out with the joy of having babies comes sorrow sometimes. I just lost a baby Zebra not too long ago. I think after this clutch I am going to give all my birds a break and take out some nests. My heart can't take this all the time.
Thanks for responding and have a wonderful day.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:43 am

What kind of finches are these and how old are they? Glad to hear the older chicks are doing well.

jeanne223 · Post by **jeanne223** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 11:48 am

They are Gouldians and the first chick hatched October 11th looks like the other three were right around the same time. So they are about 6 to 7 days old and the baby that died looked to be only 2 days or less old.
It looked newly hatched. There was a total of 6 eggs 5 hatched and there still is one egg sitting there. Should I remove it?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:52 pm

Personally, I would just leave the egg in there - it won't bother them. If they kick it out - that's okay too. Then you can pitch it without disturbing them.

Post by **Sally** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:59 am

Often when there is one baby that is way behind the others, the parents either just overlook it, or they ignore it on purpose. Even though you didn't see the parents toss, they usually will toss out any baby that dies, to keep from fouling the nest for the others.

gomer · Post by **gomer** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:12 am

Also in extreme heat they will toss a chick.especially if the nest in overcrowded.sometimes when startled they will quickly fly out of the nest, accidentally dragging any young to close to the entrance hole.More common with light sitters and finches not nesting in boxes.Most gouldians are good sitters after a while you get a feel for the ones that may be risky.I would remove the egg next time you check them,If you do this use a teaspoon to remove the egg.gouldians are the only finches I remove old eggs from.