Love is in the air...

[lovezebs]

Sheather

Well, here we go again, lol.

Keeping my toes crossed over here.

I want to see those darking little babies already.

[MisterGribs]

Good luck! Keep us posted!

[MisterGribs]

How goes the project??

[Sheather]

I candled today and nothing.
I have low expectations, and will not be removing the eggs if they're duds this time.

[Babs _Owner]

Sheather

Hopefully she lays a few that are fertile. Are these two new to mating? The gouldians lay duds often when inexperienced.

[Sheather]

They're both first years.

[Babs _Owner]

Sheather

They sound like a very compatible pair for sitting and rearing. I'd give them a few more tries at proving fertility before you give up.

Unless of course you are just giving the female a break from laying while she fuels up on calcium. I'd give her plenty of exercise instead of sitting if you want to try again (if the clutch are duds again).

This is why it takes my hens a long time to have their 3 clutches, as I remove their nest for two weeks after their kids fledge before they can have it back to start another clutch.

Strong muscles on a hen for laying.

You are great with the free flight. Maybe a few hours out of the cage without the male while she exercises if this clutch doesn't work. Just bouncing around ideas.

[MisterGribs]

I have been wanting to try some liquid calcium for my girls, it might be a worthy addition to your menu if you haven't already got some.

It supposedly gets into the bird's system really fast!

[Sheather]

babs lovezebs MrGribs

I'm calling this breeding season off.

Second round of eggs incubated tightly for a week.
Still no veins.
Decided to remove them - there's something not working here. I suspect the male just isn't in great breeding condition. I did pluck him from a shop where he got little exercise and nothing but seed to eat for a couple of months and he went right into breeding. He's great with her, feeds her, the two couldn't be more compatible, but he's awful at mating, like he's not really that into it. And he is losing a few feathers here and there, like he's just bordering on molt. I suspect because of this, he's just not really fertile right now.

I'll keep them together, even though he doesn't sing much when he's caged with her, because they're really bonded, but I'm not going to make an effort to breed them at this point. I really don't want to put this girlie's health in jeopardy as she's really special to me, and eight eggs is enough. If I kept letting them try, I might get a baby eventually, but at what cost to the hen? Not worth it, and a bunch of babies isn't necessarily something I need I guess, because my space is very limited right now anyway. But they would have been awfully cute...

The couple were in a small canary breeding cage (which was adequate because I let them out) but today I put the pair in a larger 30 x 18 flight with my society pair, where there are no nest baskets. I know she'll want to lay again, but if I don't give her a good spot, hopefully she won't. I'll keep adjusting the lights to match outside and with luck, they'll molt in a couple months. It would be great if they got along all year - some pairs do, some don't. We'll see what happens after the summer. I don't mind if he's quiet, as long as he's happy.

If things allow next year, I'll make an effort to condition them in preparation of the breeding season and allow things to progress at a more natural pace, and maybe we'll have better luck. Until then they'll be spoiled pets!

[lovezebs]

Sheather

I agree Dylan, if two clutches and nothing to show for it, I would give them a break .
They might be too young, too inexperienced, just not on the same page, or one might be infertile (I hope not).

I know that your space is very limited at present, so why push it if it's not happening. Next year will come fast enough.

[Babs _Owner]

Sheather

Dylan, you know your birds. And if they aren't ready, they arent ready.








You know you birds so well. So be it

[Sheather]

Babs lovezebs

The canaries now have the 30 x 18 to themselves. They are mating like rabbits and the male has started singing more than he ever has yet throughout the day. Hen is ripping newspaper and hopping back and forth with vigor again. Maybe should try once more?

[lovezebs]

Sheather

Let them really get into it, then throw the nest in, and close you eyes, lol.

[Babs _Owner]

Sheather lovezebs

And plug your ears. Haha

[lovezebs]

Babs

That too, lol.