Back after 20

[D@vo]

Hi All,
Daves my name and after a 20 year break spent building houses and raising kids, the birds are back. I've built 3 Gouldian-friendly aviaries with 3 pr black heads in one and 2 pairs red heads in another. So far 3 black and 3 red young live in the third. We've got 8 more bHd young coming along, Unfortunately my breeding RHd keeled over whilst sitting on 4 eggs, the hen is laying again, whilst the other pair have 4 eggs so far.

Just wondering what you experienced guys think might happen...two hens, 1 cock. Will the cock mate with both hens? Will he sit on his current girls eggs? If so, and if they are fertile, will the original hen sit on hers as she has no cock bird to do it...As it's getting on in the season, I've hesitated to move a b hd cock into the R Hd aviary.
M
Still, so glad to be back. Enjoying every minute.

Cheers
Dave

[BlackCobra]

Hi & Welcome back to birds, once you have bred birds it seems to stay in your system for life, its like an addiction, lol

[finches247]

Hi Dave & Welcome to the Forum

[Craig52]

Hi Dav, Welcome to the Forum. After 5 posts the Forum will open to view more content. Craig

[finchbreeder]

Welcome back to the birds. It is an addiction isn't it. Re the Gouldians he can't sit on two nests even if he does toake on 2 wives. So I would suggest putting all the eggs in whichever nest he is sitting on. And hope all three adults feed the young. Either way lots f greens to help the parents keep up with the young.
LML

[D@vo]

Hi All,
Thank you for your kind welcome. I'm sure I'll benefit from the wisdom of you all.
Thanks Finchbreeder, I'll move the eggs tomorrow ... probably get a teaspoon, rub it in their seed and around the new nest before scooping the little critters up.

Dave

[finchbreeder]

To avoid putting people smell on the eggs. Personally I am not that careful, just wash hands before touching the eggs is all i do.
LML

[matcho]

Davo
Just take the eggs from the nest that isn't working, place them in the new nest but just make sure the nestbox is not moved too far from the original position. The only problem I would have is the hatching times. No good putting eggs in the same nest if there is more than a 3 or 4 day hatching time. The later hatchlings will not survive, too small, will starve to death because of the larger chicks. Maybe I am wrong. Have had nests with up to 12 eggs, all hatched but at staggering times, not the same hen. Best result was 8 from one nest, Trouble was when the older chicks fledged the younger followed them. Three or four days on the soft floor with good parents made it okay. As for the human scent...what the?

Ken

[BlackCobra]

I learnt a long time ago from an old bird guy to put your hands into the bird seed before touching eggs or nest, but I also use a spoon as less chance of breaking the eggs.