Food Fixations in Cut-throats

[GregH]

I have two pairs of cut-throats and have bred very successfully from only one pair. Suspecting competition I separated them and the good pair has continuted to breed and the other would lay, incubate and hatch young which would then die off between days 3-5 post hatching. The hatchlings did not appear to be fed other than a little of their cage-mates lorikeet dry mix. Now onto their fourth nest I have provided egg food 3 times a day and at day 6, the parents have now switched to feeding seed (soaked, green and sprouted are provided). I hope that these young will be sucessfully raised but will they retain their egg requirement for raising young? Thinking ahead to my next generation of pairings will the progeny of each pair make compatible mates given their different feeding requirements. If the two pairs ever simulaneously lay I'll swap eggs and see what happens. Does anyone know if food preferences are inherited via nature or nurture?