Breeding Gouldian Finches Question

[Ken03]

Newbie and need help. So I bought about a year ago three six months old Gouldians, two males one female. Initially I bought two (a female and a male) but the ones I picked were siblings and the seller gave me a third male. I had purchased a bamboo nest about the same time I bought the birds and just put it in the cage about 10 days ago. I just found out that the nest has two eggs. First instinct is to bring in some dry grass from the yard. Immediately one of the males (the one the owner stated was the sibling) went to work. I am assuming the female will lay more eggs, two questions, should I leave the two eggs on the nest floor and let the birds work things out or should I put a layer of nesting material under the eggs. Also the sibling male who seems to be the more dominant and laying on the eggs as well as trying to build the nest, should I leave things be or take him out of the cage and see if the other male would replace his role? So far the birds are getting along fine and no fighting among all three. Any other advice? Thanks

[GouldianGuy]

take him out... no inbreeding

[Ricardo Ronsini]

You should definitely put some nest material under those eggs, if they just stay on a hard wooden floor they will most likely crack under the parent's weight.

Seems that you have a pair of siblings, it is not the ideal arragement, but i don't think that it would be a concern, as long as they are genetically healthy and you avoid new generations of inbreedings.

[Ken03]

You should definitely put some nest material under those eggs, if they just stay on a hard wooden floor they will most likely crack under the parent's weight.

Seems that you have a pair of siblings, it is not the ideal arragement, but i don't think that it would be a concern, as long as they are genetically healthy and you avoid new generations of inbreedings.

The nest is not hard wood, it's similar to the link below on Amazon. I just looked inside the nest and the male seemed to have made a very tiny layer under the eggs and more around them from the dry grass I put in the cage. He just started today, so maybe I should let him finish it instead of me interfering? Also is it normal for the female to sleep outside at night instead of the nest? Right now there are only two eggs so she must just started yesterday or so.
https://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Pet-Produ ... B00BUFXIGC

[ac12]

The hen will not SIT on the eggs overnight until she has finished laying, about 5 or 6 eggs.

[Ricardo Ronsini]

Ken03

In that case, i wouldn't bother them either.

Good luck.

[wilkifam]

I would put nesting material under the eggs when there is no one in the nest.