1 Cock shared with 2 Hens?

[Harry1704]

Hi Forum
As im new to controlled breeding finches and come from a few years of breeding Budgerigars i would like to know the following please?

Scenario - 2 x Controlled Breeding Cabinets with two Split Yellow Hens

Question - I have 1 x Lovely Australian Yellow Cock Bird. Is it possible to move the Cock bird between breeding cabinets to share him with my two hens? Is this being done by some breeders now? If so, how long would you leave the cock bird with each hen?

Thankyou in advance for all your thoughts.

[djb78]

Never tried splitting up pairs 1 cock to 2 hens bit what I do know is the male rotates incubation with the hen approx 2hour rotation. I would think if you take the cock out the hen will leave the nest. Maybe other breeders have succeeded in this.

[Tintola]

Can be done with Canaries/ Goldfinches etc. and related birds but not with Gouldians as the cock shares incubation, not just the feeding duties. Only hen canaries incubate and brood, the cocks do not.

[Harry1704]

Thankyou for the info so far.

What would happen to a pair of Gouldians if the Cock bird died? Who does his incubation duties?

[Tintola]

What would happen to a pair of Gouldians if the Cock bird died? Who does his incubation duties

The hen would until she is not being relieved, then she would desert the nest, probably even if it had young in it.

[Harry1704]

Ok, thankyou

Looks like my Australian Yellow can only have 1 x Girlfriend at a time. I will stick to the information provided above.

[BENSONSAN]

I had a painted firetail cock drop dead with eggs in the nest and the hen raised them just fine and brooded young and all. Maybe if the weathers warmer you would be ok. i think this happened to me in summer time. Only saying it becuz painteds share incubation like gouldians do.