Im a bit concerned about my gouldian hen , shes been sitting in the nest for over 2 months now and no chicks which doesnt worry me but she isnt looking to good .
What I thought to be a moult may be something else . She has lost colour and her feathers particularly around the neck are getting fewer and fewer .
Shes not coping with the heat as well as she usually does .
Questions .....Could she be moulting and laying eggs at the same time ?
Would this combination be taxing her health wise ?
Should she get a nutrition supplement ie. moult aid ?
Havent been able to get a pic as she doesnt come out of the nest long enough to grab the camera .
She is eating , drinking and moving around the cage quite OK and is still curious as ever when I go near the cage ..
concerned
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E Orix
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- Posts: 2740
- Joined: 29 May 2009, 23:30
- Location: Howlong on NSW/Vic Border 30km from Albury
- Location: Howlong NSW
While I do not get involved with genetics I have been keeping Gouldians for too long I guess.
I do not even think of putting boxes in or trying to breed from a female Gouldian which does not have a beak changing to BLACK. It is a hormonal change and is critical for successful breeding.
Also my Gouldians do not get boxes until the 1st or 2nd week of January.By then the birds are through the moult and a ready for breeding.Losses of chicks at the 10th/12th day in the nest are minimal as the nights are not too cold.
How old is your Gouldian hen,it could posssibly be an old hen over the hill,if this is so then the chance of breeding will be remote.
These days with the exception of my rarer species all my finches are only one or two years old after the second year of breeding they are sold off. They are still young enough for those that buy them to breed from them.
I do not even think of putting boxes in or trying to breed from a female Gouldian which does not have a beak changing to BLACK. It is a hormonal change and is critical for successful breeding.
Also my Gouldians do not get boxes until the 1st or 2nd week of January.By then the birds are through the moult and a ready for breeding.Losses of chicks at the 10th/12th day in the nest are minimal as the nights are not too cold.
How old is your Gouldian hen,it could posssibly be an old hen over the hill,if this is so then the chance of breeding will be remote.
These days with the exception of my rarer species all my finches are only one or two years old after the second year of breeding they are sold off. They are still young enough for those that buy them to breed from them.