Gouldain Hen attacking fledglings

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Look at them, they are gorgeous.

Your boy is such a good Daddy, those kids are looking great!!!

Is that Mom, hanging of the divider in the background?

[a_gouldian]

Yes. That is Mom. She has stopped laying eggs and is very calm now so we may take the divider out in a few days, watch her, and see how it goes. We also don't want him to get distracted from feeding the fledglings. I have no idea if after a break of 4 - 6 days if she would start feeding them again, but he is doing a great job.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

I doubt that she will start feeding now, and he may very well stop feeding, to chase her around the cage, to get er... romantic again.

I would leave the divider in at this point, until the kids are fully weaned (which should be pretty soon I imagine).

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

I doubt that she will start feeding now, and he may very well stop feeding, to chase her around the cage, to get er... romantic again.

I would leave the divider in at this point, until the kids are fully weaned (which should be pretty soon I imagine).

I think you are right. We probably shouldn't mess with what is working. I just wish they had more flight room.

[Gouldianbreeder]

Its never a good idea to remove a nest box in the middle of the breeding season. It would be better to throw away the eggs and then the hens egg cycle will start again in about 2 weeks. I have had a similar problem with a cock bird chasing fledglings away from the nest but thankfully they were in a long cage so they had the space to stay out of the way.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

How are the kids?
Are they eating and drinking on their own now?

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

How are the kids?
Are they eating and drinking on their own now?

They are doing great. They are eating on their own and I have seen at least two of them drinking and one or two took a bath already. Today was the first day I haven't seen the father feed them so far. They haven't been begging often, but when they do he chases them away in a friendly way or just flies to another perch. The male and female are doing the courting, with them both shaking their heads at one another and then he starts hopping.

The latest we will wait to remove them from that cage will be the last week this month and then put the nest box back in. Not sure if we can remove them a week or two earlier.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Keep a close eye.
You're almost there if Dad, is starting to refuse feedings.
Once you see all of them eating and drinking consistantly, it should be ok to pull them.

So babies have had their first bath, eh?
That's always fun to watch.