Baby strawberry finch question

[Diane]

Hooray - yesterday I found a baby strawberry finch bumbling about on the aviary floor (now I know what was making those funny squeaking noises for the past couple of weeks!). I've removed the chinese painted quail from the aviary as one of them tried to peck the baby. I watched it all day (it can't fly yet) and noted that the parents were feeding and generally looking after it. Last night I put it back into the nest box - but this morning it was out and about on the floor again, and now has managed to make it's way up the branches to a height of 6" - parents are still caring for it. They keep coming down to it and feeding it. So that's ok.
None of the other finches are bothering it at all.

My question is - shall I put it back in the nest box again tonight? Or - will it be ok left out in the aviary and will the parents stay close to keep it warm?

My birdroom is a brick built, enclosed type - not out in the open.

The nest box it came out of it quite high up and I'm worried it might hurt itself if it jumps out again (although it was fine this morning). I'm also worried that it might get chilled in the night if I leave it out.

What do other folk think I ought to do with it tonight???????

Advice much appreciated.

[laurab]

Hi Diane

As the parents are being attentive I would leave the little one where it is. ;-)

[Diane]

Thank you - just been out to look at it again and it's managed to hop a bit further up the branch to the mighty height of l foot! Parents still coming down and feeding it.

[Waxbillman]

i go for what Laura says...

how old is the chick, 21 days is the usually fledging period for avadavats

i usually have well developed chicks come out, but the gold-brests chicks tend to come out so tiny they can fly through 1" by 1/2 mesh, they have a good go at 1/2" by 1/2" mesh, i was worried to hell when i first bred them at least 5 years ago, but they soon grow and get the'r proper flight feathers

Matthew

[Diane]

Not too sure how old it is - it's so noisy in my birdroom (I have budgies in there too) but I've been hearing the squeaky noise for at least 2 weeks. This is the second day of its adventure out of the nest box. It's doing ok so far and there is now an adult red eared hen sitting next to it on the branch whilst the stawberry parents are feeding it. They have snuggled up together.
P.S. There is now a quartet snuggled up - red eared hen, next to baby strawberry, next to mum strawberry with dad strawberry at the end.

[Waxbillman]

sounds like a nice scene there Diane

you have budgies, they must drive you crazy, i only have a pair and they make enough noise

Matthew

[PAUL HEARN]

Congratulations Diane,:grin:

Well done, I bet you are over the moon that the Strawberry Finches have finally bred for you after having them for so long.:)

Do you have an update for us on the chick?

Paul.:wink: