Nesting/Roosting Question

LB1469 · Post by **LB1469** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 2:05 pm

Hi

I'm a new Finch owner. My femal finch layed eggs a few weeks ago. After a few weeks passed I realized that the eggs were not fertile so I removed them. Since I removed them a few days ago neither of the birds have gone back to the nest. I'm concerned that they have rejected their nest because I removed the eggs. Is this normal? Was I wrong to remove the eggs or did I wait too long? Help!

Thanks
Leo

tammieb · Post by **tammieb** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 3:42 pm

Leo,

How did you determine the eggs were infertile? If you candled the eggs and they were definitely infertile then I would remove the nest and give them a week or two before returning it with fresh nesting material and let them try again. If your birds are young it may take them several attempts before they succeed. Depending on the species, incubation usually takes 12-16 days. It is a good idea to give them a couple extra days as it is difficult to say when the incubation process began.

Also, be sure to provide them with plenty of eggshell and/or cuttlebone as the hen needs the extra calcium to produce eggs with good shells.
Good luck!

kenny · Post by **kenny** » Tue Oct 10, 2006 7:48 pm

hi
some good advice from tammie there,i would also take some of the old material out of the nest and scruff the nest up a bit and then give them some fresh nesting material to play with.they should then have fun adding to the nest

ken