What Happens if you DONT supply nest boxes ?

[JEWEL]

Excuse me if this sounds ignorant, but i am new to this finch game so please dont anybody yell at me !! I would like to ask the question :
If i have pairs of gouldians, that is a male and a female, in each cage but i DONT supply a nest or a box over the breeding season - would anything detrimental happen to the birds ??
Or do they HAVE to mate and breed each season ??
I only ask coz i know what happens to female ferrets if you dont mate them each heat.

[finchbreeder]

My Gouldian avairy is currently a nest free zone. True my reason is I need to sell some birds. Anyone want to buy some really nice bright YH PB GB Gouldians last seasons young? To answer your question. No they do not need to breed. But you can bet if they are in fine fettle they will want to. Which is not at all the same thing.
LML

[natamambo]

Your greatest risk is that the hens will come in to season anyway and try to lay their eggs without a nest and become egg bound. While a nest is generally regarded as part of the breeding stimulus some birds seem to lay regardless. Keep an eye on them and make sure they get adequate calcium to reduce the risk of egg binding just in case.

[jusdeb]

What Natamambo said and maybe have a emergency kit ready in case you do get a hen that is egg bound ...Heated area ,liquid calcium and dropper and some Spark or similar electrolytes .
If you get in early the chances of the bird recovering are better .
Im taking nest boxes out of my parrot cages as the hens just want to keep breeding and most have had 3 clutches so Im watching and ready for anything funky looking .

[Craig52]

Your greatest risk is that the hens will come in to season anyway and try to lay their eggs without a nest and become egg bound. While a nest is generally regarded as part of the breeding stimulus some birds seem to lay regardless. Keep an eye on them and make sure they get adequate calcium to reduce the risk of egg binding just in case.

That is very true natamambo, the best thing to do would be to seperate cocks from hens,that is put all the cocks in one aviary and hens in another.They might get a bit aggressive for a while but they will get over it.Hens who s bills have gone black may still lay eggs on the floor so keep up the calcium
Cheers Craig

[spanna]

I have had gouldians nest successfully on the floor of my holding aviary under a log, and even had gouldians build their own nests in dried brush (even though they had a variety of nest boxes to choose from!). Just a couple of possible outcomes nobody had mentioned, but agree with all else posted. Separating sexes is the best option if you don't want young.