I saw several my society finches mate about a week and a half ago, so I put in a nest box for them a few days later; they've been acting broody for about a week, but I never saw any eggs. Until today! There are now three eggs, so I'm guessing they layed them this morning, as there are four females and two males.
I have a few questions:
What percentage of eggs are fertile, on average? Neither of the males should be related to the females (though the white females are sisters and the chocolate females may also be related).
Are there any nontoxic markers that I can use to mark the eggs? I would like to know when they were laid so I can remove any excess, new ones so the flight (8 inhabitants, 1.5'x 4'x 4.5') does not become terribly overcrowded.
How many nestlings can fit comfortably in the nestbox? It is 5"x 4" and all six adults fit in easily.
How long after weaning should I keep the babies before selling them?
Finally, some society finch eggs
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Icearstorm
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lovezebs
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Re: Finally, some society finch eggs
Icearstorm
If I were you, I would not handle the eggs too much, or write on them
. Regarding percentages of fertility in Society eggs, I don't think any studies have been done (to my knowkedge), there are too many variables (age of parents, breeding experience of parents, time spent sitting tight, daylight hours, heat, cold, humidity, possibly diet, etc......)
As to how many babies can fit in a box, it's like how many teenagers can fit into a car. There are always records to be broken. That said, up to six plus could probably fit comfortably in there.
Once babies are weaned, (and I mean weaned, not fledged) and completely independent of the parents (eating AND drinking on their own) plus another week or two, they should be ready for their new homes.
If I were you, I would not handle the eggs too much, or write on them
. Regarding percentages of fertility in Society eggs, I don't think any studies have been done (to my knowkedge), there are too many variables (age of parents, breeding experience of parents, time spent sitting tight, daylight hours, heat, cold, humidity, possibly diet, etc......)As to how many babies can fit in a box, it's like how many teenagers can fit into a car. There are always records to be broken. That said, up to six plus could probably fit comfortably in there.
Once babies are weaned, (and I mean weaned, not fledged) and completely independent of the parents (eating AND drinking on their own) plus another week or two, they should be ready for their new homes.
~Elana~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
Linnies~ Canaries ~ Zebras ~ Societies ~ Gouldians ~ Orange Cheeks ~ Shaft Tails ~ Strawberries ~ Red Cheek Cordon Bleu ~ Goldbreasts ~ Red Brows ~ Owls ~ Budgies ~ Diamond Firetails ~ Javas ~ Forbes Parrot Finches ~
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Icearstorm
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Re: Finally, some society finch eggs
lovezebs
Thank you! I just fear that all the females will lay full clutches and try to raise twenty babies in that tight space, though hopefully they will stop laying before it reaches that point. All of the birds have spent some time incubating, and I should be able to count on the white sisters to sit tight, as they took turns sitting on their fake eggs for around a month last time.
Thank you! I just fear that all the females will lay full clutches and try to raise twenty babies in that tight space, though hopefully they will stop laying before it reaches that point. All of the birds have spent some time incubating, and I should be able to count on the white sisters to sit tight, as they took turns sitting on their fake eggs for around a month last time.
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Icearstorm
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Re: Finally, some society finch eggs
Update:
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- Their enclosure
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- There are six eggs as of today. I think it's safe to conclude that there are three females laying.
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Icearstorm
- Weaning
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Re: Finally, some society finch eggs
There have been eight eggs for the last two days, so I think they have stopped laying. I think I'll stop the nest checks for the next week and a half until the eggs (hopefully) start hatching on 2/18. They don't seem too bothered by the nest checks, and go back into the box within three minutes of flying out.
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