Question on nesting

[Greg41]

We have a pr that fledged 3 chicks, then went into a new nest and laid 2 eggs.Left that nest went back into the old nest and laid 8 eggs, have now covered them over with nesting material and lost all interest in both nests. Any ideas on their behavior?

[flap]

Have they been disturbed in any way? either by other birds or by nest inspections? Some species seem to be quite tolerant, others not so. What species was it?

[Greg41]

Hi Flap, they are Gouldians in my larger aviary and were only checked to see what was going on.

[flap]

From my (very limited) experience, gouldians have been ok with quick nest inspections. Any signs of mice? or any other birds interfering with their nest?

[Diane]

Maybe the eggs weren't fertile and the birds knew, so decided to start over.

[Tintola]

Is there only one pair in that aviary? More to follow when you answer that question.

[Greg41]

Both birds are last years young, not related and have raised young this year, no mice, there is a spare hen in the same aviary, she has been there the whole
time and yes they are in a mixed aviary but the only gouldians.

[Tintola]

They might be being disturbed by the other residents at a critical time. What are the other inmates?

[Greg41]

The aviary is 5.3x2.0x1.8 and has one pr of each:
gouldians D/B, A/f, RCCB, stars, painted, o/b and one hen gouldian.The following have all raised young.
gouldians,a/f, stars,painted and o/b, the young are placed into another cage when old enough.

[Bgould]

Just a thought but I would remove the spare hen. Even though the pair bred for you and rared three young the other hen may be disturbing the nest now. Remove the boxes for at least a week and then let them go again.