My Finches' egg hatched! advice needed

[dogzr#1]

Thanks a ton!! They aren't really taking care of him like it said in the books I've been reading. They don't sit on him much (they do a little during the day and all night). I think I'll try handfeeding if they don't feed him or take care of him properly. I bought some formula for the chick so I'll give him that. Well again thanks

[Giselle]

Honestly, finches aren't the best birds to handfeed :/ Especially since the chick is, what, around 24-48 hours old? He'll need around the clock feedings, LITERALLY. With my two-week old or so budgie chicks, I had to wake up at 6 am to feed them for every three hours after that until 12 am midnight. Of course, finches are different and I suppose they mature much quicker, so you'll actually have to feed more frequently but for less days. I took plenty of naps, but, regardless, it requires a lot of time and effort. Handfeeding is not an easy task and it sounds like Mom and Dad are doing an adequate job. I'm not familiar with finches, but budgie moms are supposed to leave the nest box every now and then for a little foot exercise and water/food breaks. Truly, birds make the best moms I would let them handle it and unless you see the chick is being ignored/unfed, *then* I would intervene. Good Luck! They're very cute, rat-looking things at this stage

[bckrazy]

Dogz, are you supplementing your finches diets? They'll need a lot of extra nutrients and special feed to care for their babies.

I agree that hand-feeding should be avoided if at ALL possible!