Odd breeding behaviour

[iaos]

I have a pair of gouldians that are on 4 chicks at the moment. On day ten both parents were off the nest when I checked them at dark. With the weather being pretty ordinary lately I decided to bring the box inside for the night. Stuck them out the next morning, parents started feeding them no worries .

So when I check them the next night (day 11) both parents were in the box. On closer inspection the hen was on the chicks with the cock in the entrance on guard duty. I guess they didn't appreciate someone steeling their box for the night. They did the same for day 12 and for day 13 the hen was still on the chicks but the cock had left his post.

I am pleased that they have gotten through those few critical days and the chicks are now better feathered (I assume).

[matcho]

Just when you think you've got them figured out!

[djb78]

I have a pair with some differences, laid a clutch of 5 eggs male and female swap throughout the day like clock work some nights hens on eggs other nights cocks on eggs and of late both are on eggs. Can't get in to see eggs should be hatched now not one parent ever leaves the nest someone is always in there. Got me stumped these are first year in a cabinet and both have been proven breeders last year.

[matcho]

I have a fair few goulds, stars and painteds but what i find amazing is that when a couple of clutches of goulds come out at the same time they all tend to sit together. Thats fine, no worries. When it comes to feeding that is a different story. It is funny seeing an adult bird being being accosted by at least 10 chicks for a feed especially when you consider half aren't their young. Stars also amaze me, have had them feed chicks which obviously are'nt theirs.... ie 2 cocks feeding chicks but the best of all was stars rearing goulds because the goulds laid in their nest. That was good, seeing a star, smaller than a big fat gould chick feeding. Is it not why we love these little feathered angels?

[garyh]

A little bit different,i have a pair of blue gould who went to nest and laid 4 eggs,but every time i entered the aviary they were both not sitting and when i was close enough to the aviary to have a look ,again they were both outside the nest box,so in a huff went to check the eggs ,to my surprise all eggs were fertile so left them to see what would happen but thought that they would be dead in the shell,about 20 days past and because the birds never appeared to sit it was easy to check the nest,bingo 3 chicks,their 15 days old now and it is only the cock bird i have seen sitting the hen must sit very late at night as i have often gone out to check and every time i get close enough, there they are on the perch,just goes to show that every bird is different and expect the unexpected,its been bloody cold so the young are doing extremely well to date,thanks garyh .