FLEDGLINGS DOING IT TOUGH

[gouldianpaul]

I have a nest of 4 young from a pair of split blues...2 fledged about a week ago and the smaller 2 fledged on Thursday & Friday last week. The smaller two are no were near as developed as the eldest 2. I was worried that the cold weather would mean that they wouldn't make it. Well they are still fighting on, yet they are not able to fly very well yet. There parents are constantly down on the avairy floor feeding them and I have drop lights in my avairies (on a timer) which I have turned on for about 16 hours per day at the moment for extra wormth....I have also put in a heap of straw/hay in the avairy floor to keep them off the cold floor......I also have clear plastic blinds at the front of the avairies which i have been leaving down all day this week as the cold winds in Melbourne are unbelievable at the moment.....I really hope they pull through as 1 of them is the first blue I have breed this year....any other suggestions as to what I can do to help them along would be greatly appreciated....cheers, Paul

[Myzomela]

It sounds like you've done all the right things Paul. No doubt that's why they are still alive.
Just check to see that the parents are still feeding them.

[Diane]

I think you are doing everything that can possibly be done at the moment.
Hope it all goes well for you.

[flap]

I agree, sounds like you are doing everything you can. Good luck with it. I am a firm beleiver in survival of the fittest, so whatever happens think that the chicks that grow into adults will help you to develop a healthy and strong line. All the best.

[nathan morley]

I think that you are doing every thing you can to save them I am sure they will be fine and congratulations for breeding you're first blue Gouldian finches .

[gouldianpaul]

Thank you all for your feedback....they are still going, but I'm a little worried about the blue...s/he seems less active than the smaller sibling....another magnificent sunny 11 (top) degrees in Melbourne today...but it's been like this for all the time since they have fledged. Hopefully I will be able to post a picture of them independent and in the juvinille holding avaiary soon...cheers, Paul

[gouldianpaul]

Unfortunately the young Blue fledgling died yesterday...whilst I'm disappointed all is not lost. From the older 2 siblings there looks to be 1 of them that is a very nice bird...as this bird is potentially a split blue I will put him/her to a blue and at least produce some good quality split blues...thats the plan any way

I guess it shows how the blues are weaker...from the 2 fledglings doing it tough...the smallest 1 (at time of fledging) was at least 4-5 days behind the blue..within 6 days of fledging it was the same size and appeared more active each day, with the blue seemingly going in the opposite direction, whilst still being moderately active. I could have decided to hand raise the blue, however with my work committements this would have been too hard, but most importantly I prefer to establish a strain that is self sufficient and not relying on hand raising or fostering...even if it means being disappointed in loosing the first blue I breed this year..

The cock seems to be chasing the hen to go back to nest...so this is 1 pair I will allow to continue breeding...cheers, Paul

[flap]

Sorry to hear about your blue fledgling. Nature has its own logic. Good luck with the other chicks.