Baby Finch - Need Advice

[Casa Amazona]

I have a friend who has a pair of finches who have hatched an egg. This egg hatched approximately three weeks ago (just a guess). It appears to be healthy and has a full crop. It's eating partially on its own, definitely eats millet. The dad is plucking the baby's tail feathers. In addition, there are three unhatched eggs in the next, but my friend doesn't know how long they have been there. Should the baby be removed? If so, does it seem that it would need to be hand fed? How critical is this? Help???

[Lisa B]

I have, with cockatiels, removed the father if he started plucking, which he often did on thoes babies. They did just fine with a mom(who worked two jobs**LOL**)

[Casa Amazona]

Thanks Lisa. She's taken the baby out and everything seems fine so far.

[Dayna]

That chick is probably not old enough to be on it's own Please read as much on this website as you can! Please call her right away!

http://finchniche.com/f-chickdevelopment.mgi

[Casa Amazona]

Okay Dayna, I'll get her right on it. Thanks.

[Tiki]

I wish Joel would come back, he breeds finches and would know how to help your little one!

[Casa Amazona]

Tiki, I e-mailed him and got some excellent advice ... as always ... which I forwarded to Melody. I miss him, too.

[Melody]

Hi Everyone~ I am Melody, a friend of Joanie's. I am the one who has the baby finch. I have separated him and have his cage next to it's parents. Dayna, thanks for the info on your website. He seems to be a fledgling. Joanie talked to Joel and he said it was ok to separate them. With conflicting replies now I am alittle nervous. He seems to be doing ok. I am watching to make sure he is shelling the seed and millet. I will let you know if he is not. But now should I put him back and take the Dad out? I am confused. Let me know what you think. Thanks Melody <><

[Dayna]

If he is eating on his own and drinking on his own, I would agree with Joel. I have never pulled a finch before I see the parents stop feeding them completely even with the chicks begging. If it seems to be eating and drinking on it's own in sufficient amounts I would worry less.

[Melody]

Dayna ~ thanks for the info. I put the baby back into the parents cage today. I checked the cage over night and felt that the baby was playing more with the food than eating and I did not see him get any water. I am so glad I did b/c the Daddy is feeding him and then Mom joined in later. Dad is still trying to pluck, it's that love/hate thing again but I can tell that the baby is not weaned completely. Maybe another week? What do you think? Thanks for your input. Melody <><