Gouldian Nest.

[FinchFan]

Hi all,
I've got a couple of Yellow Normals, first-time Parents to be. The new nesting box i have put up they have attached themselves to, have laid two eggs, but what is concerning me is that they have made a nest without much nesting materials. They started building a nest, starting at the bottom, but havnt gone any further than that, having only a scattered amount around the inside edges of the nesting box.

Being a first time Finch keeper myself, has anyone else experienced this? Is it common? My black Headed pair have 6 eggs due to hatch any day soon, they built the 'perfect' nest, then laid their eggs....

Thanks in advance!

[dRAG_jUNKIE]

The nest depends on the individual bird, some build very thick, full nests with a canopy and some build bare and scattered nests. If your worried it's not enough I'd wait until they're finished with it and put some extra material in there. Hope this helps.

[nixity]

This is why I usually make a bit of a nest for them in the box before I give it to them - because some are skilled builders and will make elaborate nests with the materials I offer.. others would add one blade of grass and consider it a triumphant achievement.

By making a small nest first, the engineers will re-design it to their liking, and the less-than-skilled usually just rearrange a few pieces and then get to business.

[FinchFan]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

I figured i would see, they may continue to build, the idea of adding amounts i will also do once they've finished building. I noticed earlier a few more strands so will assess it in a day or so. Another egg arrived today. When i placed the boxes up i put in nesting material, but they didnt agree with that and turfed it out and designed their own they way they liked it.

This arvo i scattered a heap of building material on the ground and in spots, alot of tumble weed ( good stuff ) so hopefully it encourages them to build further.

Thanks again.