Question about Gouldian Babies

[akidsgal]

Ok. Here is the issue. Mom and dad had 5 eggs. They had 4 fertile and 1 not. Now that we have babies, mom and dad are NOT feeding them but ARE trying to start a new clutch. I am pulling the babies every so many hours and feeding them myself. One did not make it right after hatching. . How long will this go on? Should I just take them out of the nest for good? She does sit on them after I feed them, but neither will actually feed the babies.

What happens when they start screaching for food? They beg constantly because she isn't feeding them.

I have the societies sitting on one of her new eggs as I thought maybe taking the egg was going to encourage her feed the babies she already has.

Any suggestions?

[CandoAviary]

I am currently handfeeding 5 gouldian chicks. I had the same thing happen, the bird would keep them warm but not feed or feed very little. I would take the nest own , feed and put the nest back up. This went on for 1 week. Finally I removed the nest and am handfeeding the chicks. All are doing well. In the meantime I hung a fresh nest on the breeders cage to let them have thier own clutch. The constant interferrence of me removing the nest was making them less and less interested in the chicks. Good luck.

[akidsgal]

Candace,

I am not currently removing the nest. I am just removing the babies and feeding only to return them when done. The first one is 3 days old with a new set of lungs. (Or at least he/she found them!) Mom is laying in that nest with the babies, so I really don't want to change that unless you can tell me how to keep them warm. I am in an air conditioned home and they would get cold easily. I do have lights but I have read somewhere that the light can burn them to death.

This is my first clutch ever with my Goulds and I will feed till the end if I have to! They sure do grow fast. They will no doubt fly the coop way before my daughter will...... LOL

[dfcauley]

If mom is keeping the babies warm, I would continue doing as you are . Perhaps she will get the idea and start feeding them soon.

[CandoAviary]

Mine were under a foster pair of gouldians(real parents tossed) that were more interested in laying thier own clutch. They are now laying thier own eggs. The real parents are laying a new clutch now also. I have the five handfed in my bird room in a nest under a light. It is about 90%.
I was under the impression that the parents were trying to start a new clutch. With constant tampering with the nest the parents will most likely abandoned eventually. Any new eggs laid in the nest will be spoiled by the now present chicks. Sometimes the parents will build a nest right on top of exsisting chicks. First time parents can easily get confused.
If they aren't laying a new clutch then maybe they will figure it out and start feeding. Definately they will keep the chicks warm. Also the chicks piled upon one another keep each other warm.
Have they laid new eggs in the nest?

[akidsgal]

Yes, parents are laying new eggs. So that would mean that I need to pull them from the nest. What kind of nest should I put them in? I understand they need the light for warmth. Do you feed at night? It seems they lose some size if I don't. They were getting huge last night but I didn't feed in the middle of the night. However they were all ready for food and begging for me to feed them. I am sure they will be some of my more tame Goulds. Being fed by me will make them love me more I am sure.

These are not first time parents however I was not the owner of them with their last clutch. The last owner didn't actually comment on what kind of parents they were. There are 2 girls from the last clutch however that are awesome little ladies now. Colored up and looking good. When I got them they were weaned but hadn't gone through their molt.

The way I see it then is to put them in their own place with a light. Somewhere there will be no interference by other birds. Did I gather all well so far?

Thanks...

[CandoAviary]

I would remove the chicks. Let the parents get down to business with thier new eggs without nest interferrence..... you don't want another clutch abandoned so give them as much privacy as you can. I usally keep mine in a plastic nest or tupperware type bowl lined with cocofiber then topped with paper towel. I remove the soiled papertowel at every feeding and replac with clean .... keeps things much cleaner. Once the nestbox ot bowl gets dirty I transfer and wash and bleach it.
I feed every 2 hours when really young or so.After 2 weeks every 3 to 5 hours. If they are looking empty. The older they get the more they will cram into thier crops so more time in between.It is good to let the crop empty to avoid old food in the crop that could lead to infection. I start my feeding at around 8 AM and the last feeding is anywhere from 11 pm to midnight. I am a night owl. I do not feed overnight.
You can put your container of birds in your oven with just the oven light on....sometimes you will need to leave the door cracked bu inserting a spoon. I have found my oven is draft fee and holds a steady temp of 90%...I use an aquarium thermometer in the same bowl as the chicks to monitor. I also add a damp towel to the oven rack to keep the humidity at the proper leave and rewet and wring out once dry. I also partially cover the container with a darker hand towel to keep the chicks in a darker nest atmosphere.
How many are you feeding?

[akidsgal]

I am feeding 3. They are now 5, 4, and 3 days old. Here is a pic of what I have

I used cotton nesting material with co co fiber on the top.

I have been feeding when they start to beg. I think tonight I will feed overnight as this am they looked a bit on the peekid side when I got up to feed.

My daughter is helping to feed and is doing a super job. When do their eyes open? I am curious to see when they see me what will happen. They seem to know my smell already.

[poohbear]

Well done if you manage to raise them...I've never had need to.No doubt I've had non feeding parents over the years, but my method of breeding without interference of the nestboxes has probably led to my not observing this behaviour.Chicks tossed,yes...loads of times...that is the only time I have interfered to return chicks to the nest and observed from a distance.
I don't see the need for overnight feeding after dark...the parents wouldn't.But if you feel it helps raise them....fine.
I can assure you the chicks can't smell you...more likely they can feel the warmth from your body when you are close.
Good luck with them.

[akidsgal]

Just lost the biggest one. I must have made the food too thick. It was eating fine, but never did get the last outhful dropped down. GRRRR!! My own fault!

[lovemyfinch]

They are sooo tiny, I am wishing you the best of luck.

[CandoAviary]

Sorry for the loss of this little one.
When they are that small do not overfill them. It is so easy to get some in the airway and they strangle or inhale into the lungs which is fatal or will turn into pneumonia. Feed moderate amounts often when this young. I use the small end of a leg banding tool and let the chicks basically like the food off of it. That way they swallow it instead of inhale it. I have never had luck with a pipette or syringe.
Do not mix too thick, a runny pudding at this age is best.
Are you using Kaytee handfeeding formula?
It is tough when they are this young. They usually are not fed by the parents for the first 24 hours after birth. they are substained by the yolk sac.
Very strange that the gouldians would be laying new eggs at the same time these eggs were hatching.......Usually they can not have clutches that close together.
Could these be someone elses eggs? Do you have more than 1 pair or other species in the cage?

[poohbear]

Very,Very hard to hand rear...you have my respect to even try.

[akidsgal]

Well, needless to say they are all in a better place. The last one passed on about 2am Sunday. I know that these parents are mom and dad as they were the only Goulds in that flight. I am not sure what made them do what they did, but I do know that the oldest one was 2 days old before I even tried to give it something to eat. They are the most fragile things I have ever seen. I do know that if mom and dad continue to raise this clutch they will be through for the year. I will need them to rest in an aviary that we will be building in the new home. I just hope that the babies are weaned before the move.

I did move about the flights this weekend. I moved a nest of Zebs with some babies in it. Mom and dad din't seem to mind and took over feeding again after I changed their cages.

With the way things are now, I am trying to get ready for the move.

All birds that are in flights will be in the aviary. Only breeding pairs will be in the flights alone. I have 4 flight cages. That is all I am allowing to breed at one given time.

[lovemyfinch]

So sorry to hear that the little ones didn't make it. At least you know that you gave it your all.