~Critical perios - successfully weaning Pin-tailed Parrot Finch Chicks

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Errol Crosbie.
Copyright © 2009.
All rights reserved.
Revised: August 6, 2010

	When one or more Pin-tailed Parrot Finch chicks fledge, put several layers of paper in tray Raise the tray to about level with the bottom of the nest		Raise the floor
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Remove the perch furthest from the nest The trays fit within the cage rather than extending out the front A false floor of hardboard will do just as well for the few days involved in the floor-raising process				Fledged 2.5 weeks
With all-wire foster cages, dowelling is easily used as a temporary support for the tray For box cages the same can be achieved, provided some small holes are strategically placed in the cage back prior to fostering, each to take a small headless nail hammered into the end of the dowelling intended to support the tray			More importantly, the chicks can at anytime retreat back into the nest This is important if the Bengalese have a tendency to pay more attention to those chicks still in the nest Some advocate placing the nest box on the floor after fledging to achieve the same end
Raising the floor ensures that the Bengalese are in close proximity to the chicks			Raising the floor ensures that the Bengalese are in close proximity to the chicks

Fledglings - 8 days

Lower the floor

The tray or false floor is lowered back in two stages
It is usually left at its highest point for two days.
If feeding is going well then the second perch is replaced
after a day or two

If all seems well with all fledglings flying from perch to perch
and being fed, the tray/ false floor is lowered to a mid-point,
then lowered right down the next day

The speed of this process depends upon judgement as to
how well the chicks are doing, flying and being fed

Keep it clean During this process, the top sheet of newspaper is removed daily to ensure old soft food or droppings are not pecked at by the fledglings as they begin to explore



If the Bengalese don't do their duty see what to do at 'Hand Feeding' on the