Gouldian Hen Not Laying

[Steevee]

Hi All,

I have previously bred from a white breasted Gouldian male and a lilac breasted hen. All of their offspring were purple breasted males and lilac breasted hens.
Sadly, the hen died leaving the white breasted male without a mate.
I bought a white breasted hen (age unknown) so that I could get some more white breasted Gouldians.
I placed the two white breasted birds in a seperate aviary about 3 months ago and they bonded very quickly. About 2 weeks ago I put in a nesting box and the male has built a beautiful nest.
In my main aviary, I put nesting boxes in at the same time and the purple/licac breasted Gouldians have laid numerous eggs and are sitting.
Unfortunately, the white breasted hen hasn't laid a single egg. Her beak has darkened, she is interested in her mate and he is a proven breeder.
Why isn't she laying? Is she possibly too old? I know of another white breasted hen for sale, should I buy her or give the current hen more time? If I buy a new hen, will the male bond with her if his current mate is in the adjoining aviary?
Thanks for any advice.
Steve

[Craig52]

Hi Stev, for a start all those young you bred are split for WB now as the mutation is recessive so you only need one parent to pass it on.
I would wait a while yet to expect eggs from your new WB hen as she maybe a young bird in her first breeding year.
Provide plenty of calcium and fresh seeding grasses/soaked or sprouted seed for breeding stimulation. Craig

[Steevee]

Thanks Craig.
I hadn't considered her being young but rather assumed that she was possibly old and past breeding.
She is getting her calcium and quickly devours her daily fresh seeding grasses.
I will wait as you suggest and keep my fingers crossed.
Thanks again for the advice. Steve.

[finchbreeder]

Mother and I set up three Gouldian avairys at the same time this season. Every avairy is at a different stage. But the avairy with the most gouldians is ahead of those with less. Could be the stimulation of more birds?
LML

[Steevee]

Thanks finchbreeder.
Both your advice and Craig's advice were right on the money. She needed more time and I was too impatient.
When I checked the nesting box this morning the WB hen had laid her first egg
Thank you both for your excellent advice.
Steve