Babies being attacked

[simmot]

When I went out to do the aviaries this morning two of my baby Ruddies had been pecked around the head, both are bleeding.
They fleldged Saturday afternoon (4 babies ) I move these birds from the main aviary into a holding cage early Sunday Morning to stop the hen going to nest again. All has been fine until now.
What can I do for the babies? both are still alive but one is a lot worse that the other.
Why would the parents or other siblings attack? I have not heard of this in Ruddies

[jusdeb]

Thats awful ... I guess keep them warm and quiet and let them heal is all I can suggest and of course away from the nasty ones doing the pecking. Good luck

[Misso]

could it be that cause they are still young, they have collided into the wire or walls of the aviary whist flying?? maybe had night fright and hit their heads??

Jarryd

[finchbreeder]

They didn't run low on water?
Pecking for blood can be caused by lack of moisture or salt.
Try putting a container of slightly salty water as well as the regular one.
Other than that not suggestions sorry.
LML
More common in in budgies and parrotts than finches.

[simmot]

Thanks, They had plenty of water, But i will try the salty water.

[finchbreeder]

If you can tell from blood on beaks who did the pecking, it could be that the chicks are the same sex as the guilty parent who thinks they will drive off potential rivals before they get to grow up and present a problem.
Again some thing that happens on rare occassions.
Cause some birds are as thick as some people.
LML
In which case it might be best to leave just one parent to finish the raising of the chicks.