Aussie Finch Forum

My pair have made 2 great nests, laid and sat and then after hatching have abandoned the young after 4-5 days.

I have fed mealworms once a day with fresh greens. Gouldians doing better and young fully fledged.

The nests have been right near the aviary door and I wonder if me entering and doing my stuff spooks them.

AB

In my opinion Orange Breasted Waxbills are not big Mealworm eaters. Possibly due to the birds size and if the M/Worms are too big.
Nesting near the door may not be the best location as well.
Personally I would offer soaked seed and this will be well received by the other birds as well, in particular when chicks are in the nest.
While I am not a specialist Gouldian breeder mine do quite well being fed normal seed mix, soaked seed and baked egg shells

You could try bushfly maggots as a simple way to provide a better livefood than mealworms.Orangebreasts will soon learn to take them.