I have a Romeo

[dunker817]

Tonight after work I took my quiet time with my finches as I normally do. And to my surprise my orange faced gouldian male was serenading my silver female gouldian. Then he started hopping up and down. I was flabbergasted. First, she's a diva and doesn't play. Second, there is nothing for them to nest with, nest on, or nest in. So I am wondering why he was courting her so intently. She flew off and he followed her around the room until he finally got interested in his dinner. It was cute but at the same time a bit disconcerting. Finches won't just lay eggs anywhere like conures, will they? I'm not ready to be a finch daddy.

[Sheather]

My birds don't usually lay many eggs if they don't have nests. Sometimes they produce one and drop it from a perch and it breaks. Some have more determined birds who will lay and incubate in seed cups, and I have heard one instance of Gouldians doing that, though I think they're a much less likely species to try without ideal conditions. Your male probably just felt frisky. They still will mate (or try to) without nests.

[lovezebs]

dunker817

LOL!!!
Dear Layne,
Our birds don't care if we're ready or not. They only care when they're ready, and it sounds like your boy is ready.

Are your kids in cages, flights, or in a free flight bird room?

Elana

[Rox]

Nature has a mind of it's own. Some birds will lay eggs, irrespective of whether there is a nest around or not. I have a holding aviary for my young birds, not a nest or piece of grass in there but every week I end up finding eggs which have been laid on the floor...

If your hen starts to lay eggs, just remove them from the cage. They won't hatch if not brooded properly. Keep up the eggshells and cuttlefish bone for calcium replenishment and she will be just fine

[dunker817]

Elana,

All of my finches are in a room, I call it an aviary, but it's a 10' x 11' x 8' room. I've been watching them and haven't noticed any more mating rituals going on.

Rox, I don't think the female was swooned by the male. But I will keep an eye out for eggs. When I got my finches I got each species with a male and female to keep a balance. So technically, any of them could start laying.

I would like try breeding someday. I'm just not ready at the moment still being so new to the hobby.

[Sally]

Your birds may decide for you when it is time for breeding.

[dunker817]

Sally, I know. Now I'm wondering if I should put some nests in there just in case. Maybe just one. My other gouldian pair are fascinated with the A/C vent. I think they want to nest in it. Thankfully they can't fit. I guess I will just have to wait and see.