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Gouldian Finches: Infertility

Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2013 10:08 pm
by Sam007
I have infertility issue with one pair of my gouldian finches which I bought about 6 months ago. This pair laid eggs 2 times (5 eggs in each clutch) but chicks never developed in them, all eggs were clear. Someone suggested me that the male gouldian might be infertile. So, I introduced another male to her. She laid again 3rd time (5 eggs) with that new male but again all eggs were infertile. All of the time they incubated eggs tightly and properly for about 17 to 19 days then abandoned the nest. Now I have removed them from breeding cage and put them in a flight cage for rest. She is still very healthy, fully feathered and very active. I do not know her age.
What to do with her infertility.

Re: Gouldian Finches: Infertility

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 12:41 am
by Zebrafincher
What about giving her eggs to foster? Sounds like she's a good mum. Even if they're not able to have eggs/babies, they could look after them

Re: Gouldian Finches: Infertility

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 1:05 am
by Sally
If she lays five eggs in each clutch, that doesn't sound like she is too old or that her fertility would be in question. When I see plenty of eggs but none fertilized, I suspect that the male has aged out and is now infertile. Or he is so immature that he just hasn't figured it out yet. If the parents sat for 17-19 days and then abandoned, the eggs would have been DIS if they were fertile. Many clear eggs tell me that either mating never took place, or the mating was incomplete, or the male is no longer fertile. Usually, when the female has aged out, you will see only one or two eggs in a clutch, or no eggs at all for an entire breeding season.

Re: Gouldian Finches: Infertility

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 6:08 pm
by Sam007
Zebrafincher
Good idea. I will try to use her as a foster whenever I have some extra gouldians eggs :)

Re: Gouldian Finches: Infertility

Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 6:22 pm
by Sam007
Sally
Thanks for your detailed reply. I am glad to know that she is young not old. I have tried two males so far. May be both males are too old or immature. I will let her rest and pair up those two males with some other female gouldians to see the results.
By the way, for some reason, female gouldians are more expensive than the males. Price of a normal red head green back purple chest male is $50 while the price of red head green back purple chest female is $70 here.