Aussie Finch Forum

Ok so this one clutches completely healthy before fledgling and all of a sudden after they fledge I've had 3 die, 1 just then in my hand. I have no idea what's going on, the only thing I can think of is I'd the parents are feeding them something but it can't be that cause there's still 2 babies still going strong. Other pairs have had Babies and they've all survived and gone well. I'm not sure if it's something in the nest or what. Any ideas of what it could be and what I can do??

To what species of finch are you referring ? My guess is Gouldians, my birds are sometimes notorious for neglecting to feed the young as they fledge.

Oops, yeah gouldians. I have no idea why because the 2 Babies left are being fed well and look healthy.

Think Finchman needs some help here folks , seriously losing young birds ....anyone ?

I would think its nothing to do with feed, as i noticed last year and currently the fledged young pick at seed from day 1 or so but still get fed well from the parents. The ones that died did they have a crop of food or not surely that could give you a starting point. And which Coloured Gouldian is it? Other than that i am not a Doctor Finchman. They may have disowned those young for some reason aswell.

How cold is it? Goulds are more susceptible then most other finches as they do not have down feathers....

Cold, night fright, weak mutation, list is endless really. I didn't have a single bird die in 7 months up to Christmas, lost at least half a dozen in past 3 months across all finch species, sometimes it's like that.

the parents are both split Australian Yellow. Both are very healthy robust birds. i did notice all the babies that died had dirty vents but im still unsure as to what caused it.....

Have they jumped early or are they well feathered. Leaving nest might be that parents have slowed feeding and hungry young may jump to look for a feed and young that don't call won't get feed, mites in nest fan make them fledge especially the red mite. Cold nights can kill young. Just a few suggestions off the top of my head.

natamambo wrote:Cold, night fright, weak mutation, list is endless really. I didn't have a single bird die in 7 months up to Christmas, lost at least half a dozen in past 3 months across all finch species, sometimes it's like that.

Tend to disagree with that natamambo...loosing birds there is always a reason for it...when I was at peak breeding 70 or more pairs of different varieties.. if I lost more then 2 to 3 young over the whole season I had autopsies done to find the reason why...