Thanks so much for the update and congrats!

It’s promising that she hasn’t re-nested already – fun but it drains her (not to mention you!).

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Bonnie here. Updating on the finches.

The fledglings are now feathered so I can tell they’re both male. I’ve moved them into their own cage away from their parents.

Their next move will be to my granddaughter’s room. Where they will live happily ever after. (at least in my world, haha)

Momma hasn’t produced any eggs for awhile, that’s a good thing.

That’s all for now.

Blessings, bonnie

Thanks for your interest in our blog.

The problem you are seeing may be related to the space available to the birds. Despite their tiny size, they produce a great deal of waste material and move about quite a bit. In a small enclosure, it’s very difficult to prevent them from walking in their feces.

You might also consider an enclosed water fountain, so that they have less opportunity to walk in water. However, you would need to secure it well (most are designed to clip through cages bars) and check that they are using it regularly.

Corn cob, hardwood chips or chemical-free sand are both absorbent and work well with button quail, with sand being better for chicks as it prevents the legs from splaying out.

Mineral oil may help in removing the caked material, but you would be well advised to consider a veterinary visit. When normal foot function is restricted, the foot or toes can become necrotic, which is likely what happened with the bird you mentioned.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thanks for the feedback…please thank your finch for validating my remark!

You may need to switch to an enclosed tubular feeder; some will then just lay on the floor, however. Well-fed females usually do fine, but if it keeps up please be back in touch and we can consider dummy eggs or other options.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Thank you, again. Today I found an egg in the food dish. hahaha

I’m saving them for crafts. But I hope mama doesn’t overdo.

Best to you, Bonnie

Thanks for the update; I’m happy to hear that all went well.

Best to remove the nest as you did. Zebra finches do not breed seasonally, but rather when conditions are favorable….the mere presence of a nest site (or, in some cases, a food dish!) may spark egg-laying.

The cheek color may develop as early as age 3-4 months; but breeding is best put of until the bird nears 1 year of age.

Good luck and please keep me posted.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

Bonnie here.

The 2 fledglings have fledged and have been forced into independence by their parents.

The mother (hen) managed to also lay 5 more eggs before I removed the common nest. No more nest. No more eggs.

I’ve prepared a new cage for the “youth” which will be going to live with my granddaughter. I’m just waiting to see if we have a male/female or female X 2.

When should the male finches show their orange cheek spots?

Thanks again, Frank, God bless

Bonnie

Those birds are in good hands…I can tell. Please let me know how all goes, I think you’ll enjoy watching them fledge and become independent.

Best regards, Frank Indiviglio.

I’ll try to stay out of trouble and the cage.

I’m sure you’re right…No. 2 made it this far and will be alright for the rest of his nestling life.

Have a great day, bonnie