Aussie Finch Forum

My Black throats are laying and laying and laying ............They're all 1-3 years old and one pair has raised two clutches of two and four young last spring.........This summer/autumn season I've been patient but there are at least 4 nests going, two have large clutches, some eggs seem to have developed young in them, the adults are sitting pretty lightly and devouring their termites.....mine usually only pick at them when not breeding........

I'm thinking that the heavy rain periods is interrupting them and causing them to stop sitting, then when it dries up, they add more to the nests and start laying again.........

Done the whole Coccidia treatment after the last big wet period, and they were wormed in March. No mice whatsoever, they do interfere with each other a bit, but thats normal Black Throat behaviour.

Sprouted seed each day, fresh water, termites twice a day, fresh green seeding grasses every 2nd or 3rd day, 4.2m x 1.2m x 2.4mhigh aviary, planted with coarse sand floor and fully roofed with polycarb, insulated shelter lined with fibro, pretty heavily brushed, combo of brush and nest boxes

Has anyone got this problem or had it?...........and know what the solution is....I need something else, already tried bl**dy PATIENCE

cats or possums at night, or some other disturbing noises at night.

I've had the same problem with cut-throats and Gouldians. Not sure what the problem is but I think a large percentage of my eggs are infertile so it's one clutch on top of another. Anecdotally the fertility is better when first paired so if I had enough space I'd separate the pairs for a month and then reintroduce them however I've also had pairs so enthusiastic that they start a new clutch before the last lot have even fledged which is anothe recipe for disaster. I'll be interested to see what others make of this behaviour.

Mickw have you changed the perches lately, might?? be as simple as perch stability or the dominate pair could be harassing the others whilst they are trying to mate. OR I would suggest catch the cock birds up, if possible and check to see if they are not over weight. Just a thought I hope it helps.

Thanks guys, I had suspected infertility but I've noticed a number of eggs (not the majority though) which have developed or part developed young in them.........I dont inspect regularly, I have checked two boxes a total of 3 times in 9 months......seems like layers of eggs as you suggest Greg. I had that years ago with some Gouldians.

I'll try shifting perches, thats a good suggestion...........and I think I do need to remove all the fellas and put 'em on a diet.....There's 12 Parsons and 2 Yellow rumps in that flight so I could just run an austerity period on the whole lot.......that'll save everyone alot of stress!......though some do have to go.

shox its interesting you mention night frights.............its pretty quiet here, but I'm sure they get disturbed a little. Interestingly, during the day we get a few visitors.........Grey Goshawks, Butcherbirds, Wattle birds, Cuckoos, Hobbys, Nankeen Kestrels, Black shouldered kites....the list goes on.......Even had a Spangled Drongo hanging all last week.....wasnt interested in the birds, but picked off every grass-hopper, wasp etc in the back yard

As with Black Throats, there seems to be a lot of inquisitiveness and I am thinking along the lines of the dominant pair imposing their will over the others, likewise the others' inquisitiveness affecting the dominant pair..............there's probably a paper which could be written, but bugger that, I think I'll try to work out whos who and split 'em up a bit.........and move the perches......and put 'em on a diet.....and...