My chick is 45 days (6 weeks) old now. At just about 4 weeks old he ventured out of the nest box and never went back. Two days after being out of the box I had to removed the hen and let dad finish working with him because mom got a little mean to the bub and dad. So during his 5th week of life, he hung out with dad and started eating on his own. I placed him in a nursery cage and he has spent this last week on his own. He seems to be fairing well, eating, etc... I would like to add him into the aviary with nine of my other birds but am not sure how old he needs to be? My other birds are mix of male and female, range in age from 4/5 months to 2 years old... this include his mother and father. Can I get some advice? Is it too soon?

I Keep my babies in a kindie cage for quite awhile...up to 12 weeks or so. BUT if you are sure your 6 week old can eat and cope AND you have no interim kindie cage for youngsters then YES the aviary would be fine. Just keep a close watch on him to be sure he finds the food and eats well. Sometimes they can take a massive step backwards in situations like that. Watching for signs of stress and ill health would be a priority.

I Keep my babies in a kindie cage for quite awhile...up to 12 weeks or so. BUT if you are sure your 6 week old can eat and cope AND you have no interim kindie cage for youngsters then YES the aviary would be fine. Just keep a close watch on him to be sure he finds the food and eats well. Sometimes they can take a massive step backwards in situations like that. Watching for signs of stress and ill health would be a priority.

 

 

okay KAZ... I'll just wait. I don't want to rush it. I know he's been eating on his own (he's been in his own cage for about a week now) and he seems to be fairing well. I know youngsters can get annoying to the other birds if they beg for food and stuff and I'd hate to see one of the others get frustrated with him and hurt him. I'll wait until at least the end of November then. He's also the only bird I have that will actually give kisses, step on my finger, and doesn't bite... he's a true "pet bird"... the rest are a "flock" and bonded to each other. I guess I should weigh that factor too... once I put him in with the rest, he probably won't be the sweet little thing he is now, will he????

Once he goes in with the flock he wont be tame for very much longer :fear

I agree with Kaz, I keep mine in a kindy cage for as long as possible and when I do put them out if they look like they are struggling I put them back in the kindy cage until they are ready. BUT a top breeder told me if you don't have the room put them out about 8 weeks on as it is good for building up their muscle strength in their wings etc.

good luck with the little one. Hopefully when its time he will be fine. I'd probably err on the side of caution like you are doing. better safe than sorry.