Aussie Finch Forum

I just checked on my week old gouldian chicks and their crops were completely empty and they were very hungry. Usually they are always full. I was going to check again in an hour and if they were still empty I'm not sure whether to try and feed them myself or just pull them from the nest altogether. I'd hate for them to starve. What should I do?

I may not be the best person to answer but give them a quick feed and place them back and check them a little later and see if they are being feed.

I agree with the top up and checking later. You can always take them from the nest later, if you have to. Gives the parents and the chicks every possible chance to continue as normal.

I gave them a feed and returned them to the nest. When I checked 2 hours later they had been tossed from the nest. Their sibling had been tossed early this morning and died before I found it, so I have removed these 2. I have given them another feed and warmed them up and they seem very active. Fingers crossed they will survive the night.

Sometimes chicks are tossed by other finches trying to take over the nest. Watch carefully and see if someone else takes over this nest. Good luck raising the chicks, if you can't foster them to another pair after ringing them.
LML