Hi all,

 

Have a second pair who's chicks are almost out of the nest. The first chick is almost a week older than the last 3, so it feathered up and looked mature quite a bit before the others.

 

During last week i found him outside the nest box two times, but placed him back no probs. Yesterday i saw him outside and checked his age, he's 43 days old and fully feathered so i wasnt worried. Today however, i saw him up on the perch by mum and she was staring at him with a look i knew was hostile. Sure enough she shuffled up to him and started pecking and biting him until he fell down. I took him in out and tried to sneak him in the box, but she went in and both her and dad attacked him so i put him in the nursery cage (he's the only chick in there at the moment until the bro's and sisters join him).

 

He seems to be eating, as i start putting millet and seed into the nest box at about 2 weeks of age onwards. My main concern is that most of the (few) chicks i have so far raised have learned to fly before they fledge. After playing with it for a while (it loves to be scratched) it started trying to fly up to my shoulder and seemed... heavy. I noticed two flights on the right wing were out of place, then they fell out while he preened on my shoulder.

 

Does anyone have experience with flights falling out of chicks so young? Im wondering if they became dislodged by the parents attack, but i just want to be sure. Seems like a tricky start to life :rofl:

 

Anyone have advice for caring for the lil guy? Thoughts on feathers?

You should not have put him back in the nest at that age...he was fine to be out of the nestbox. Dropping flights....yes...he is stress moulting due to the trauma that has just occurred. Expect him to lose all flights and tail feathers. Best to remove to to a cage with other youngsters so he can learn to eat by watching them and some of them may also feed him a little.

Well I'm not an expert but it sounds like you've done the right thing by separating him from the parents... is there a chance they want to start on another round and that's why they are forcing him out? Just make sure you have some nice low perches in the nursery cage... I am sure you will do well with the chick, you seem to be a very sensible breeder who looks after your birds well. good job :rofl: