Aussie Finch Forum

Seems a bit premature as hens don't usually renest till after young have fledged, but on some occasions the need to breed will send some hens to nest earlier than they should. If the father continues to feed the young then all should be fine, fathers feed fledged young while mum starts her new clutch.

Like Danny says bit unusual but Dad will look after junior. Had a surprise yesterday. One of the chicks from my first nest of the season, only successful nest so far. Started whistleing along with his Dad, and he isn't even 3 month old. Never had that happen this young in all the years I've had them. Other wise my hens are stuffing arround making nests, laying and pulling the nests to peaces unfortunately. Youngest hen lost her only chick.
LML

Just checking back on your post when the chick was hatched. It is now 17 days old and they usually leave the nest between 21 and 23 days and are eating on their own.

So as Danny and Finchbreeder have both said, I think the father and mother should still continue to feed the chick for a few more days until the chick is picking around itself. Once the hen is set on her next nest of eggs, and provided the chick is at least 21 days old, make sure that you put the chick in a seperate cage or the adjoining cage with the wire slide so that the cock and hen don't try and line the new nest with its feathers.

I usually take the chicks out around 23 days, however, my hens normally don't start making a new nest this early. You must be doing something right if she is making a new nest.

I just got a good picture of the baby canary.

Looking good.

Very nice Harvey.

Nice, but definately not ready to be independant. The one of mine that is not whistling is a paler version of that, the whistler has a green crest and is mixed green and yellow.
LML

The baby is now only days away from fledging but the parents have finished a new nest. If the hen lays eggs before the baby is independent, will she abandon the nest. Here are some more pictures.

I think the chick should be okay. It is now 20 days old.

Even if the hen starts laying she shouldn't set for 3 days, and she should keep feeding the chick. It will then be 23 days which is when they usually fledge. Just keep an eye that the parents are feeding the chick and that it is picking at the eggfood itself when it leaves the nest.

In my experience, even if the Mum stops feeding it, the Dad will likely continue for at least a week.
It'll be right, Harvey.