Aussie Finch Forum

Hi All,

Just another question:
I have 2 pairs of OH WB YB that I have never bred with before.
They have hatched young within a day of each other.
One pair has hatched 7 and is rearing the 7 with no worries so far. (5/6 days)
The other pair hatched 3 of which 2 died on their first day, but the other 1 is fine,
full and growing big quick ! (also 5/6 days)
Should I move 2 or 3 young from the nest of 7 to the nest of 1 to ease the burden on the parents ?
Would the parents of the single usually accept 2 or 3 chicks at 5/6 days old that they didn't have before ?
Thoughts ?
Thanks, Joel.

GIAH,
In short,no,no,no.
Let things take their natural course. I have done what you are alluding to but only when chicks were tossed. There maybe reasons why the chicks died, maybe the mother isn't so good or could be maybe just just first clutch jitters. Let her raise the solo chick, it should be strong because of no competition for food, maybe next clutch will be better. If they are rearing 7 leave them be, parents like that are worth their weight in gold. I have a pair that last year did 2 lots of seven in a row, they ain't going nowhere.

Ken.

Thanks Ken,

Will leave it be then. (just feeling a bit sorry for the parents of 7!)

I agree with matcho, your single chick will grow well and the mother hen will gain valuable experience for her next clutch.
The other pair sound like 'diamond parents"7 in one clutch. If you feel 7 is way too much for either the parents...or you...lol next clutch, after the hen has stopped laying just remove the last egg or two from the nest.

Thanks Diane for the extra advice.
I might just do that as she actually laid 9 eggs in this clutch.

GouldIAmHooked wrote:Thanks Diane for the extra advice.
I might just do that as she actually laid 9 eggs in this clutch.

years ago when I bred goulds...clutches of 6 to 9 were the norm...and usually raised the lot...

Thank you all for your advice - i'm glad I didn't change anything.
The single young died 2 days ago - hopefully newbies on a practice run !
The other 7 still going great !
Joel