Aussie Finch Forum

update:i was so happy cause two of the chicks were born so i looked at them of course but many people told me after the fact that if u look at the chicks the parents will kill them is this true. that really sucks they were not planned but any new chicks are always great to have. there is still two eggs left so lets see.

have never heard that before, sounds like an old wives tale. Zebras generally tolerate most things we do to them, so long as they can eat & breed they are happy
some birds dont like any nest intrusions at all (peeking or poking) while other will tolerate a small amount.
I have a gouldian hen that doesnt care, once the eggs have hatched she tolerates me having a look and I have even been able to pick up the young to leg ring them. as soon as I move away from the nest she goes straight back in.
have other species though who will abandon a nest as soon as I get to close, doesnt matter if the nest contains eggs or chicks.

My zebra never used to mind when I rummaged around in the nest to check on babies.
Fortunatly my gouldians dont seem to mind either.

i think that i agitated them too much. they threw them out...it was sad then then faughter buried the two remaining eggs. i examined the chicks and they looked normal. well i took out the nest completely to avoid this altogether. im planning on buying a mate for the daughter and father so they wont have chicks anymore because thats kinda weird lol

there can be that many reasons you will never know why they do it. like you say it will be better to breed with other birds . pete