Aussie Finch Forum

Hi folks,

Is it OK to inspect a Gouldian nest occasionally or should they be left completely alone when breeding? I've read conflicting reports on this.

If no inspection is recommended, is it OK to enter the aviary once per week to top up their seed?

Finally, do you recommend having the nest boxes at different heights or all at the same height? I've been told to never have them so their openings are facing each other. Is this just the usual BS you hear when it comes to bird breeding or is it true?

My black head norms just laid their first clutch, 2 hatched one was dropped on the floor last week (when the weather turned weird). The other nestling is going strong, I kept inspections to a minimum when they were sitting on the eggs, now i'm checking on the little 1 every couple of days. I'm in the aviary at least twice a day, the gouldies are pretty easy going and don't seem too worried. My nest boxes are around the same height, but there are only 3 in that aviary. Can't really really offer much help with the facing openings bit though.

I check my nests incessantly.. never have had a problem, but each pair is different.
Some are tolerant, some are not, I guess I'm just lucky - all of mine tolerate inspections.

My nests are on several different levals, and face every which way, and are of different sizes, shapes and materials.
I go into the avairys at least daily.
I do not inspect nest, but I know many do without problems, I think it's what they get used to.
LML

I don't, as i've lost 3 nests due to it. each with 3 eggs. the parents just abandoned them

I inspect my gouldian nests pretty regularly. I check to see when the first egg is laid, fertility after a week of incubation, 3-4 days after hatch date to see how many hatched and then every few days after that until fledging.
I do try not to disturb them the first couple of days after hatching and also in the early nest building stage. I don't think I could attribute one nest desertion from my gouldians to my interference.

It might just depend on the bird. I try and wait until I see the parents have left the nest before I check. I check the nests to see when the first egg laid then leave then alone till the first chick hatches, then just now and again to make sure everyone ok.

Nope never check the finches , just keep my ears open .

I've never had any problem with Gouldians desserting even with frequent nest inspections but just because the majority don't doesn't mean that yours will. It's a sad truth that the only sure way to find out is experimentation. Loosing one clutch is not too much of a tradedy compared to loosing close to fledging young. If you know, from inspection, the date of first hatch then you've got about two weeks too keep looking then stay clear. I've lost all sorts of birds from premature fledging. The immature young go to ground and die of cold overnight and even if you think that you do manage to put them back successfully they are much more likely to keep hopping out.

Once they hop out trying to get the little sods to go back/stay back in is a problem. Not so much in summer, but when the nights are cool.
And this applies to all finches/birds.
LML