orange Breasted Waxbills

[ratbag]

Is there anyway of telling if eggs in a nest are about to hatch or actually have chicks inside the egg.

[Shane Gowland]

Candling.

[deegs]

Hold them up to the sun. If you can see through them they are clear, if you can't they are fertile. This only works after a week or so. If unsure, leave in the nest, the hen will leave them after about a week after they should have hatched if they are not fertile. Be patient.

[arthur]

Leave them to their own devices . .

The hen will know more than you do, and will leave them if/when she realises that they are 'clear'

Interference with finch eggs in a closed nest risks breakages or desertion . . even with tolerant species like OB's



The loss of a nest is not worth a couple of days of impatience

[finchbreeder]

I'm another who does not check. The birds are better for not being pushed to lay again too quickly in my humble oppinion. And if they go a year with no chicks introduce another pair, they may not be compatible.
LML

[ratbag]

Thanks for reply's I shall take heed and be patient.