Will a male gouldian raise chicks by himself?

[hosman321]

One of my males has always been an excellent father. Never tossed a chick or abandoned eggs. But that was when he was kept in a breeder cage with just 1 female. Well, I put all my gouldians into the new aviary a couple weeks ago. He's sitting on eggs. But he won't let any bird near the nest, not even any of the females. I don't even know who the mother is. Actually, I think what happened was that he took over a clutch from another pair. Another pair had been in that nest about a week ago (around when the eggs were laid) and now he's in there alone and won't let them in. Although it's possible they are his babies, I suppose. Anyways, has anybody ever had a gouldian raise chicks alone? He's a great dad and is super protective of the nest. When all the other birds are at the bird feeder 10 feet away, eating politely and quietly, he'll swoop down, attack them all super fast and then fly back into his nest. Everybody just looks around at each other wondering what the heck just hit them. But he's back in the nest so quick they don't even know where it came from. He doesn't do any damage, he's just letting them know that they better not come within 10 feet! Was just wondering if anybody else has had this happen. Don't know if I should trust him with the eggs or give them to societies. Thanks for any input.

[hosman321]

41 views and no replies at all?

[Buzzard-1]

Never had that happen with goulds but I have lost hens from other types during nesting and the cock bird has raised them OK. Providing he has access to plenty of foods cant see a problem.

[Diane]

Cant say Ive had exactly that situation with the male driving everyone away. However I have had a couple of males bring a clutch on their own, but not from the egg stage, the babies were at least a few days old when they took over full rearing duties.