Large Gouldian Clutch

[Alley]

Hello,
My pair of Lady Gouldian are on their 2 clutch of eggs this year after giving them a 4 month break.
Their last clutch was also their first where the successfully raised a clutch of 4. Both Mom & Dad were fabulous at caring for the young and allowing nest checks.
They both started incubating their eggs yesterday. I took a quick peek today and there are 9 eggs laid.
Since such a high number should I maybe chuck a few out?
I know they might not all be fertile, but I would rather do it before I can see they are fertile because I would feel horrible putting a live egg in the garbage in case they all were.
My concern with it is I imagine raising 9 babies would be really hard on the pair.
Has anyone had their Gouldian's raise large clutches before?
Thanks

[debbie276]

I have very often had clutches of 9 with my gouldians. Personally I would leave them alone, as you said they may not all be fertile anyway. Unless you candle the eggs to see if they are fertile you may be tossing good eggs rather then duds.
good luck

[Nerine]

Maybe wait a few days, and then candle the eggs to see which ones are duds.

My budgie Mango recently laid a couple of eggs, and I removed them to throw them out. Thought I would candle them first though; the first egg was a dud or newly laid, but the second one had red veins in it.

Looking closer, I saw something moving, and realized it was a beating heart

I put both eggs back in the nest, as I couldn't bring myself to throw out the 'live' one.