Why dont my baby finches survive more than two weeks?

Question

I have a breeding pair of gouldian finches. The mother lays a clutch of about 3-5 eggs. The first four times these were all infertile. Then she hatched one and about 2 weeks old the chicks disappear. She has done this 3 times now. Last time they hatched two chicks and a week later one disappeared and then another week after that the second one was on the ground dead. I am assuming she is kicking them out, but why.

The parents look after them very well. Their gullets are always very full and there is always either the mother or the father in there. They are always given fresh seed and water and the cage is plenty big enough for the two of them.

Answer 1

Sometimes the pairs just don't know how to take care of their young.  You can't separate them either, since both take care of the young babies.  

I would try a different nest and see if that helps.  It's just trial and error here.  You might want to add another older pair into the mix and see if this helps.

Just sounds like they're very young and just not sure what to do.

Answer 2

Immaturity can be blamed once or twice - but it's often one of those things that gets thrown out as an immediate conclusion when someone doesn't have any alternative options to consider.

Frankly - if it happens more than twice, you have a bigger problem on your hands than inexperienced parents.

It would help to know (if you even know) how old the parent birds are, whether they themselves were parent raised, and if either of them has ever reared a successful clutch before.

I have only had *one*... *ONE* male gouldian that tossed chicks.

And he only did this the first time (all babies) and the second time, he tossed 3 of the 5 babies and they successfully raised the final two. (I've sold one, the other has since recently finished his first moult).

It's something they CAN grow out of - they just need to be given the opportunity.

What is unusual in your case (and is what makes me think this is not a typical juvenile chick-tossing dad.. and just FYI, it is nearly ALWAYS the fathers that do this) is that it is happening well after the chick has hatched.

Typical chick tossing occurs IMMEDIATELY after the chick is hatched.  For juvenile birds - it's a reflexive action brought upon by confusion over this begging, squirming wriggling pink thing in their once peaceful nest of eggs.

Just keep in mind - I have a male who is not even a year old yet that is as broody as a silkie hen and is the best dad I've ever seen.  They are certainly worth their weight in gold.

What I would honestly consider is your choice of foods.

Simply offering seed for 4-5 begging mouths (plus feed for the parents) is NOT enough.  Seed alone does not provide the amount of protein growing chicks need.  Even if their crops were full, there is a good chance the parents were stressed out by the lack of quality food options available and tossed out of frustration.

Aside from finch seed mix - they need plenty of spray millet, egg food, sprouted seed, etc - a WIDE variety.. even possibly live food if you can acquire it.

In terms of the nest.. I breed my goulds in bamboo/wicker nests as well as plastic and wooden finch boxes.

None of mine are "deep" and I've never had a chick accidentally kicked out.  Unless the nest is VERY shallow the chances it's accidental are few and far between and the chicks would be found directly under the nest.

So.. look at their diet a little further.

Also - what is your definition of a cage that is "big enough"?

Because if its anything less than 30" wide, it's not big enough for two - let alone two + their babies.

Answer 3

As I said in the other thread, immaturity is usually the cause.  With gouldians, you need to have a very deep nest box because sometimes they accidentally will toss chicks.  I use a budgie size nest box for my chicks with cut grass or alfalfa in the bottom.  

Right now, you need to let the birds rest, take out the box and try again next year.  You need to up their diet as well, seeds are not a complete diet.  They need egg food, fresh greens, powdered kelp, a good calcium source, and trace minerals.  

Gouldians are very fragile birds and should not be allowed to lay more than two clutches of eggs in one year.  Their health will deteriorate if allowed to lay more.

Answer 4

Either she is killing them or something else is.I don't want you to take this the wrong way but is there any chance rats or mice could be getting into the cage? They will sometimes take baby birds or eggs.

Maybe make sure that the cage is secure and lift if off the floor or table, perhaps suspend it from the roof or a hook.