Handraising baby finches.

[lyn2233]

Hi Ben, It was pretty sad after 2 1/2 weeks feeding them 4 to 5 times a day and then that happened. The other one is going well but to-day has not eaten much during the day but to-night ate quite alot before I put him in the nest. I was wondering how long I have to feed him as he is starting to fly and seems to pick at the ground for seed. Have not had much luck with my breeding this year but the Stars have just had babies and the Red parrot finch has had 2 babies. The Painted have not done anything but someone told me they don't breed now. they have all built nest, the pair of cordons always have built nest but nothing happens and the pair of Orange Breasted do the same. Does not worry me that they don't breed as I have them mainly for enjoyment.As you know I have two aviaries my husband built a small one for the 2 pair of zebras which I have had for 6 years and still breeding.I wish you and your wife a very Merry Christmas and hope you have a great 2011. Thanks for the message Diane yeah it is pretty sad when you get attached. I am hopeless when it comes to any bird or animal. Merry Christmas.

[monotwine]

I have some really greedy birds in my aviary and meal worms get pinched and flung in every direction and ultimately wasted on the quails, so the other day I put a large quantity in one of those gravity feed type feeders. Birds spent hours waiting for individual worms to come close enough to grab em. Worms lasted the whole day and the finches got what they needed too.
It was rather funny watching my CB staring into the glass at the worms on the other side. He was not too impressed with my idea.

[finchbreeder]

Monique you know what happens when you have something new that might work for others? Pics, Pics,Pics. We all scream.
LML

[lyn2233]

I thought I would post a picture of the surviving finch I have been handraising now for 3 weeks. Only a mother could love it, it is the strangest looking little bird. No feathers have grown on it's back, the back of it's head is bald and only has fluffy feathers on the front. the crop looks really strange sometimes after I have fed it. I put it in the aviary with the red parrot finches for a fly around and it loved it but I still am feeding it 4 times a day. I hope it will start to pick at some seed it self. Even though it is not the best looking bird it is so friendly and jumps on my hand as soon as I open the cage and sits on my shoulder around the house. People have said to me I would not have bothered to feed it it's just a Zebra finch but I have had so much enjoyment looking after this little bird. Merry Christmas everyone.

[flap]

Handy thread, we realised that our two OB babies were not doing well at all (and the last clutch all died )so took them out of nest and started hand feeding. This happened late yesterday so of course nowhere to get handrearing mix on Xmas day. Alternating egg& biscuit with insectivore at the moment. As much a learning curve for us as for chicks. They are a bit more lively today than yesterday afternoon. long way to go though... Will see if can get some formula tomorrow... We are guessing they are 7-10 days old as eyes are open and parents stopped sitting a day or so ago.

[lyn2233]

In that photo I posted yesterday that little bird has lost all those fluffy feathers at the front. It does not seem to want to be hand fed very much and saw it picking at a millet spray but I don't think it's getting enough. i think it has a deficiency has it does not have a lot of feathers left only on wings and little bit on head. Seems happy enough but ugly as.

[Diane]

Only a mother could love it,

You're right, but sometimes they are that ugly they are cute, and this one fits the cute profile