Aussie Finch Forum

Why / what would be the reason for my goulds to be throwing their eggs out of the nest ?? I keep finding them on the floor of the cage, or sometimes in the seed dish. They have worked their nests and still appear to be fussing over it with nesting material, and every morning i witness the mating performance of one of my males to his woman, but yet the eggs still keep appearing smashed on the floor. I cracked one open the other day that i found in the seed dish - white spot in yolk means fertile doesnt it ??? Guess the season is getting late now and not much chance of any young this year.
Also, two of my hens didnt even come into breeding condition - is that normal ?? No darkening of the beak like the others.

Any other Gouldian pairs in the same aviary? other species?

Far from too late in the season. Mine only have 2nd round young in the nest now & I expect another round after this one.

Hi Tiaris, - No, i have my pairs seperate in cages, so no others to harrass or annoy them. I had put it down to perhaps their first season and they havent got the hang of it all yet ? I was told they were young birds when i purchased. I will put more nesting material in today and see what eventuates then, if it not to late in the season. Actually, on second thought, could the reason be that because we have a rat hanging around they dont feel safe to have young? Or do birds not think this way ? Thanks.

A rat would definitely unsettle them.

A nest box over stuffed with nesting material where the eggs can roll out is a possibility as well. Check for that. I've had it happen.

Tiaris wrote:A rat would definitely unsettle them.

WE GOT IT !!!! Tonight my dogs got that damn rat !! So now i will see if my birds settle down and get on with it or if they are just playing at making house this season.

Tintola wrote:A nest box over stuffed with nesting material where the eggs can roll out is a possibility as well. Check for that. I've had it happen.

And i checked the nests - not a lot in there in the way of nesting material. Perhaps my problem could also be the wrong TYPE of nest material ?? Are they that fussy ??

did you pre make the nests for them? some gouldians can be very bad at making nests, stuff heaps of grass in their and make a bowl with your fist or tennis ball and then leave some extra in the cage/aviary for the male to ad if he wishes too.