Loss of Gouldian chicks
Posted: 07 Aug 2011, 11:33
Unfortunately I found a dead gouldian chick on the aviary floor this morning so decided to check the nest. Another dead chick and two eggs cracked open with fully formed dead chicks. All at the front of the nest box so it seems the parents were in the process of ejecting them from the nest as they'd perished. The older chicks were well fed and about 9-10 days old - normal age when parents stop brooding. This pair have fledged 2 nests of 4 and 5 chicks this year during much colder weather than we've had lately.
Despite the relatively warmer weather I suspect lack of brooding, hence cold due to there only being 2 chicks in the nest. However, the dead in shell chicks make me wonder if something more sinister is going on?
Despite the relatively warmer weather I suspect lack of brooding, hence cold due to there only being 2 chicks in the nest. However, the dead in shell chicks make me wonder if something more sinister is going on?