Advice please :)

[maryfrancis3]

Hello all.

As I am new to Zebra finch breeding, I was wondering if anyone could tell me when my fledgling will fly.

I have read numerous posts, but read conflicting reports. Some say they are flying at three weeks of age some day after a few days. So, as you can see, I am a tad confused.

My fledgling left the nest, of it's own accord at 15 days old, fully feathered. Now it is now 25 days old and although it 'scoots' around the bottom of the aviary and flaps it's wings, it cannot actually fly. It is now beginning to feed itself, although dad is still keeping a good eye on it. Mum found a hole in the aviary wire and escaped, leaving dad to raise the baby, when the baby was just a week old. Dad has done a sterling job.

So, as I was querying at the start of this post, when may I expect my little fledgling to fly?

Thanks lovely people!

Mary xx

[Jayburd]

Hi and welcome
That's strange. All my zebras were flying long before they were feeding themselves. Have you had a look at his wings to check for any abnormal issues (missing feathers, stunted wings etc)?

[maryfrancis3]

Nope.... wings are fine and flapping like crazy hehehe. Healthy happy, trying hard to fly, just not getting there. Dad is so encourging too. What a champion he is

[vettepilot_6]

Seems a bit early to leave nest at 15 days....it should be flying by now though, it must have some issue somewhere.

[Finch_Breeder]

Mine usually start flying by now, a bit strange
(vettepilot, nice avatar)
Mike

[jusdeb]

Its left the nest too early . Mine fly from the second they leave the nest , clumsily at first but can get back to the nest for safety ..

Now why has it left the nest at 15 days ??? I have had them do it before and they just scoot about until they catch up with the rest of the clutch .

Might not be anything to worry about but Id keep an eye on it in case there's a calcium / D3 issue preventing it from flying properly .

[maryfrancis3]

Okies. Thanks for all the replies

I don't know why it left the nest so young. But I did read on other sites that anywhere from 11 to 21 days is normal.

I tried to put it back but it wouldn't stay. As soon as I would put it back it would jump straight back out again. Is this perhaps something to do with being raised by dad due to mum flying away?

But honestly, it seems quite happy and loves being with the quails. Dad still pops down to it and gives it a bit of a feed, but now it is eating and drinking by itself as well as dad's offerings.

Thanks again everyone xx

[vettepilot_6]

Okies. Thanks for all the replies
I don't know why it left the nest so young. But I did read on other sites that anywhere from 11 to 21 days is normal.
Thanks again everyone xx

11 to 21 days is not normal....more like 18 to 21 days unless something has frightened it out like fingers in nest for example...but be that as it may 25 days old it should be flying..

[desertbirds]

Quite often if a chick bails out early it will do some damage to wing muscles(or have crash) trying to fly, If it can fly a bit i would leave it for a week or two and see how it goes.If its happy enough and feeding it may well come good on its own.Try not to stress it and just observe for a few days. Ive had the odd chick with a drooped wing for a week or so but more often than not they come good.

[maryfrancis3]

Well great news

Our fledgling is flying!! Although it still prefers to sleep at night with one of our quail. Dad finch is not feeding it anymore and it eats well by itself. But still hassles dad for food now and then.... hahaha Kids, huh?

It has the most beautiful little 'tear' markings down it's dark face.

When will it's true colours start to come through? It is four weeks and one day old.

Also, the cutthroat females keep pecking it, when it is up on the perch with them. I didn't realise cutthroats were so nasty.

If this keeps going, I might have to get rid of them, as the breeding season is now upon us and I don't want any chicks being compromised.