What to do?

[matcho]

Have been watching with interest a painted nest, not very well made. This morning there is a chick on the floor, not quite fully feathered and no chance of it remaining in the nest when put back. It seems healthy enough and is getting fed on the floor by the parents. Crop is visible and full. Only problem is it is solo and wont have the benefit of warmth from nestmates during the night. Avairy is toasty warm and dry with plenty of little corners. Painted chicks I have had before spent the first few days on the ground and did well. My concern is that this little thing isn't as far advanced as the others before. Given that the parents are feeding it is it wise to just let things be and hope for a good outcome? What would others do?

[Diane]

Maybe a nest of sorts on the floor you could pop it into, that would get it off the floor and give it a bit of shelter?

[jusdeb]

One of these little Zebs here was raised at ground level . It didnt take long for it to get up on the perch and keep up with its siblings . As BB said a makeshift shelter on the ground and just watch the parents are doing the job of feeding .

Good luck .

Here is the under done Zeb second day at ground level , now just as fit as the others ...

[mackstaa]

Painteds make terrible nests, dont let them make their own nest. They often forget to build a floor!
If the little fella is getting fed and he has access to a low perch and some sunshine he will be ok, but you dont want him small enough that he has to sleep on the aviary floor

[jusdeb]

How is the little one doing ?

[Fincho162]

Painteds have a habit of dropping/dragging chicks onto the floor but if only one chick u may have your work cut out as they dont return to the nest once they fledge.
However, in the meantime u cood do as we do with Tricolours & Red siskins and leave a small column filled oil heater under the nest on low and that will take enough of the chill off the chick to enable it to fledge.

Not sure about the terrible nests as where they nest in the wild they often build on top of spinifex grass which demands a brilliant base or else very sharp things throught the bottoms ensue!!!
Mine invariably build excellent bases....even without the spinifex grass.........cood that be a residual species memory!!!

Good luck!!

[matcho]

Update:

It has found a nice warm corner and thankfully the weather is being kind. Parents are feeding it and he/she is looking OK at the moment. Fingers crossed for the next few days.

[jusdeb]

Yay

[mackstaa]

He will be fine