Aussie Finch Forum

Hi everyone,
I'm kind of worried about my gouldian pair, today the female was in the nest for a long time 3 hours+ and then she came out at some point around 5. Well what's worrying me is that she has been sitting on the same perch in the same spot for a few hours and the male was sitting on the eggfood bowl ( which is hooked on to the side of the cage near the top) also for a few hours....they sometimes do this where they just sit in one spot continuously for a while but what scares me is that they were in the same spot for sometime without making a sound and when I got closer I realized the females feathers on her sides were puffed out over her wings....not sure how to describe it. She wasn't puffed out at all but just some feathers on her side were overlapping her wings, she the stretched out as a got close and put her wings back over the feathers on the side. I covered them and then she went to the eggfood bowl and began eating and the male went to sleep in the nest. Should I be worried?. Is it normal for them to sit motionless for hours? And for the female to be puffed at the sides but not the male? Is it possible that I just happened to walk by while she was still in the process of preening or just stretching out?. She wasn't bobbing or breathing heavily or any other signs of sickness other then the side feathers.

Oh and what I mean by covered is that they are in a cage and I put a sheet over it at night, and I peeked from the bottom and she flew to the egg food bowl

They could be cold, especially if they are outdoors in an open aviary (not sure what you mean by "cage" ie indoors or outdoors). If there is any chance the eggs / young are dead because of how long the hen has been off the nest I'd be finding a way to warm them up.

Oh sorry, cage is a cabinet....at least I think that's what it's called in Australia....and there are no young and they are still in the process of laying eggs and I haven't checked so it's possible she's laid a first egg today in the nest since she's been in for so long. I thought they could be cold but I have them indoors and I have the heat on so I don't think that's what it is. Maybe it's drafts?

Gouldians do not like cold drafts or dampness....she may have been resting for the big day? just keep an eye out for any tail bobbing or laboured breathing....should be fine

They have been there for 3 weeks now and have always been perfectly fine so I don't understand what could have gone wrong. But maybe your right, it's possible she is getting ready to lay....lol this has turned into something semi exciting