New baby

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:11 am

Hello all,
I am new to the forum... Only my 2nd post..
Just wanted everyone to know that the babies started hatching this morning!
I am sooooo excited, and my 8 year old is trying to skip school!
(already missed the bus, too much excitement around here!)
Anyway, I hope the rest goes well... 4 eggs left...
Proud owners of Zebs,
adiekaty

James · Post by **James** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:55 am

welcome;
Where are you from? We have people on here from all over the world. You may find a friend from your backyard. Never know.

Watching them grow, learn, and play is great fun. I can sit for hours watching mine play.

James

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:59 am

Aww - CONGRATULATIONS on your first baby birds! It is very exciting. But do let the parents have a little peace so they can take care of those chicks.

And yeah - we're not nosey, but we'd love to know your general location in the world just so we know if we should turn around and wave at you!!

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:07 am

I like nosey.... ha ha...
I have tried several times to update my profile, for some reason it wont post?
Not sure what to do...
I am in Katy Texas... (20 miles west of Houston)
Oh my.... I am still so excited... its hard to type!

i hope the other 4 eggs hatch, if not... i am so happy with one.
I have read so much on here... this forum is great...

I am doing eggfood,(boiled no shell) mixed with veggies and some dry egg from the bird store, along with their usual seed mixture.(in seperate bowl)
Should I add anything else for healthy babies?
Thanks for the info...
adiekaty

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:16 am

eggfood,(boiled no shell) Don't you give them the shell?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:40 am

Give them the shell from the egg too - it has some much needed calcium for the parents and the chicks.

The other 4 eggs will probably hatch too.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:18 pm

gave the shell to the parents til now, since I have the babies... I stopped.
I have heard both.... give and dont w/ babies.

What do most of ya'll do?
So far, sounds like I should continue with the shell.
Thanks,
adiekaty

btw.... 4 have hatched.... only 1 egg left!

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:21 pm

I toss my hardboiled egg and shell in the food processor for just a few seconds - makes it all fluffy. Then I mix it with my soak seed and give it to the parents. They regurg it, along with all the foods, for the babies.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:24 pm

Thanks ... How do you do the soak seed? Just wet it... and mix in bowl with the eggs?
and still give regular food and water in another dish?
I am new remember and just want to do it all the correct way.
I started adding vitamins to the water. Will that help?

Post by **Sally** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:27 pm

I had read that the shell can puncture the crops of little babies, but as far as I know, I have not had that problem. I did stop using the eggshells for feeding parents for a while, but feel that they really need that extra calcium right now (plus peeling the eggs was a pain

). I do like Liz, put hardboiled egg shell and all in the food processor. then add whatever I feel like to the egg mixture (nestling food, veggies, soaked or sprouted seeds, etc).

Congrats on the babies! This is my favorite part of owning finches--the breeding. I just love watching those little babies develop. It is hard not to peek, but try to give the parents a little privacy--they will be working hard to feed 5 mouths!

I know where Katy is--I used to live in Pasadena.

Soaked seed is soaked in water for at least 8 hours, then drained and left to sit for about 18 hours, then mixed with the eggfood. Sprouted seed is started the same as soaked, but it is rinsed each day and left until you see little white roots coming out of the seed, this takes 2-3 days total. Don't use seed that has the little colored bits in it, that is not seed. You can order special soaked seed mixes, or just use a plain mix that has mostly millet in it. Be sure and read the info at the FIC, linked at left, there is so much good info there.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:36 pm

Thanks Sally...
I will go back to the link @ left.
(thought I had read it all...)
This is really exciting... I am really surprised at the male.. He is a great daddy... incubated alot and is always in the nest too...
guess maybe mom thinks she needs a break! lol
thanks again,
adiekaty

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 6:37 pm

Hello...welcome Adiekaty!

Sounds like an experience we had when we got little chicks...but these were baby chickens...from the post office. I went to get them and brought them home and my kids almost missed the bus too from wanting to see the new chicks.

Post some pics when you can!

FinchMommy · Post by **FinchMommy** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 11:45 pm

Congrats!!!!!! I can't wait for my birds to have babies.

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Thu Nov 13, 2008 9:42 am

Hello again.... Guess what??? All 5 eggs hatched!!!

I am sooooooo EXCITED!!!!!!
Mom andDad are great parents (mostly dad)

Thanks for all the info on eggshells.... food processer is a great idea.
did it this a.m. I am gonna do the soak seed this afternoon...
Any help for a newbie (easy directions) is appreciated.
I looked in the finh info section and read some stuff there...
Do yall use vitamins in the water? I figured it couldnt hurt, but skipped today until I heard back.
Thanks again for all the comments... You all are wonderful!
Adiekaty

P.S. Sally.... What do you think the birds would benefit from more... soaked or sprouted?

adiekaty · Post by **adiekaty** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:23 am

posted more info. on a thread under health...
Just wanted to let yall know the parents tossed 3 babies out yesterday...
The other two seem fine... Just get nervous when its time to go in and chek..
I am sad, but do understand these things happen.
Bought the zeb's about 6 weeks ago. Not sure the age on the parents... Wasn't expecting eggs so soon either, got excited.... and now just trying to learn all I can...
You guys (and gals) here on the forum are great....
thanks so much for your thoughts, ideas and general feedback!
Its much appreciated,
Adiekaty