Ruddies - nest with chicks at night?

[the chooks]

Ruddies have made a nest inside a tree stump standing up - very well insulated. About 4 chicks, that would be 5 days old i think. They have feathers - looks more like fur though, but are so small. Is it normal for parents to not sit with them at night? Mum was in their at night 2 nights ago but not now. Thanks.

[Fincho162]

Even down here never had a problem with Fire finches losing young through winter by freezing.....suspect they might be sneaking back in there when you aren't watching as they can sit tight.........thus saying the nest is so well insulated I've had nests of 2 come out in mid-winter no probs..........if they have feathers they might be older than u think...much older as none of mine have ever feathered that fast.............in which case they should be fine..........

[E Orix]

Unless you can see the nest without any disturbance how do you know if the bird didn't get off the nest before you looked.
They have better hearing than you. More chicks are lost from over attention from people than other outside influences.
Four chicks should be enough to keep each warm so that may not be a problem.
Personal opinion leave them be day or night and in a week or so the parents will have them out on the perch and give you plenty of time to sit back and watch.

[the chooks]

Thanks for the replies, I can see the nest without any disturbance. The stump is near the edge of the aviary I can shine a torch in to the nest, without even going in. It was very dark and parents were together in an empty nesting box on the other side of the aviary. I didn't think they moved around much after dark.

[the chooks]

All good this morning, a good feeding and noisy feeding session after mealworms.

[Buzzard-1]

That's great to here As Fincho162 said they can be sneaky and slip back to the nest when you don't know.