Two hens one nest

06 Apr 2011, 19:13

I have two hens in the one nest, they appear to be sharing incubation. Is this normal? There is one male that is also on duty. The remaining male (I have two pairs) is inquisitive of the nest but occassionally attacked but the other three especially when he visits the entrance hole or does a display to one of the other females.

06 Apr 2011, 19:51

I had this with king quail, different I know but they still reared and raised happily together a total of 19 chicks from the one nest. maybe your gouldians will do the same

06 Apr 2011, 20:12

MattP wrote:I have two hens in the one nest

What breed? I've had it happen with Java Sparrows and Zebs without a drama but there were several pair, I'd be watching the spare male. Try putting in more nests to give them more variety.

06 Apr 2011, 20:14

Take a look at the species your in Buz, think their elephants

.

Don't worry I think some one else did it a couple of weeks ago as well.

06 Apr 2011, 20:23

VR1Ton wrote:Take a look at the species your in Buz

Ummmm no excuse even though I tried to think of a good one

06 Apr 2011, 20:30

Buzzard-1 wrote:
MattP wrote:I have two hens in the one nest
What breed? I've had it happen with Java Sparrows and Zebs without a drama but there were several pair, I'd be watching the spare male. Try putting in more nests to give them more variety.

I added an extra box so there are three all up for two pairs. Gouldians of course. The other male is doing ok, in fact he has gone on the offensive a couple of times. Most of the time it's quite. Each female has taken a turn on the last two nights. Maybe there is a mix of eggs from both.

06 Apr 2011, 20:41

Not uncommon for more than one hen to lay in the same box. As for sitting I've only seen related birds do it. There is a unwritten rule 1 pair or 2 or more pair to a cage this does help to eliminate this type of thing as I said before watch the spare male.

06 Apr 2011, 20:54

Buzzard-1 wrote:Not uncommon for more than one hen to lay in the same box. As for sitting I've only seen related birds do it. There is a unwritten rule 1 pair or 2 or more pair to a cage this does help to eliminate this type of thing as I said before watch the spare male.

Thanks for the information. I'm new to Gouldians, when you say watch the spare male do you mean he can cause trouble or he'll be in trouble? Also, is it one pair or more than 2 pairs? THat is, ywo pairs is not recommended?

06 Apr 2011, 21:06

MattP wrote:watch the spare male do you mean he can cause trouble or he'll be in trouble?

Both he can fight with the other male and disrupt the hen setting.

MattP wrote:is it one pair or more than 2 pairs?

Any number other than 2 pair.

08 May 2011, 20:47

Buzzard-1 wrote:Not uncommon for more than one hen to lay in the same box. As for sitting I've only seen related birds do it. There is a unwritten rule 1 pair or 2 or more pair to a cage this does help to eliminate this type of thing as I said before watch the spare male.

Well I ended up with two lots of eggs which hatched about one-two weeks apart. One lot are ready to fledge while the others are a way off. Will they continue to feed both sets in and out of the box?