Okay, gouldian bred so vague in one area

[Babs _Owner]

3 eggs, father sitting tight during day. Mother NEVER sits at night. I know....wait til 4th egg laid. So if she doesnt sit, eggs go cold? Father has already incubated them.

Do I throw them out, or do I let her sit on DEAD eggs? This simple question has yest to be answered.

I have to prepare, and not flip put later if,she never sits.. She seems quite oblivious to the whole event.

[Arama]

Babs

Deep breaths! Don't panic. They are watching you
Don't let them see the fear.....

Try to be patient and see what tomorrow brings and hope that she gets all cozy for a long relaxing sit.

[lovezebs]

Babs

Oh Sweetie, shall I ship out the valium ??? The butternut squish??? Shall we call Bubba, to go and get a tranquilizer cannon ???

Relax woman !!!
For heaven's sake, you're gonna wear yourself out even before the babies arrive.

If babies are meant to be, then babies there will be. And if it's not meant to be this time around, then worrying about it isn't going to change anything honey, is it now?

[spn1979]

Babs
I set up 4 pairs of goulds this year and what your describing is normal behaviour. I believe he's actually Proably guarding the nest and not actually sitting. From what I've learned incubation doesn't start until the hen disappears at nite. I bought my first young pair last year and over the coarse of 2 seasons they gave me 5 infertile clutches. They both would take turns during the day after 4 eggs but she wouldn't sleep in the nest until the 6th was laid. It drove me nuts thinking that were killing all those eggs. I believe my male to be infertile. She is now with a new male and and again the new guy was in the nest all day I believe right from the first egg. I believe she went to nest after 5 eggs. When I checked a couple days ago there was 6 good eggs do to hatch this weekend. I've learned not to pay too much attention to what he's doing once the eggs start coming. If i was able to worry all my eggs fertile I'd have a lot more babies lol.

[debbie276]

Absolutely agree with spn1979. Just because he's in the nest doesn't mean he's sitting on the eggs. Eggs can last a whole lot longer then you think, don't panic.
I would not do a thing a just let them learn what to do and when to do it. There is a learning curve even for birds but once they learn and parent raise there is nothing better.

good luck

[Babs _Owner]

Arama spn1979 debbie276

Yes it is driving me bananas watching her refuse to sit every night. Male seems so dedicated, female is like "umm what eggs?"

@lovezebs
Tell Bubba to get the tranquilizer cannon!

This is day 5 since 1st egg laid, and she has 4 eggs now. Lets see how tonight goes. How many days after all the eggs are laid (and the female doesnt sit) do you guys decide to give up the batch? I like to be two steps ahead of the birds, no matter what they decide to do.

She chewing on cuttlebone and chowing on egg again this morning, so I expect egg 5 tomorrow.

[debbie276]

Personally I would wait a week if for no other reason then a learning experience for the pair.

[Babs _Owner]

debbie276

Awesome, now I can relax as I know the plan of action. Ill just consider this round "playing house" (unless she sits).

Phew! Thanks Debbie!

[slwatson]

Babs

I'm with you...it's hard to be patient when you're waiting for eggs!

[Babs _Owner]

slwatson

Yeah it is, especially with the "unknown" aspect of the gouldian breeding habits. They can act in so many different ways and it seems somewhat unpredictable, with quite a few viables involved.

Ha! a Lot more challenging than societies!

[lovezebs]

Babs slwatson

In my opinion, the great Gouldian Mystery is a bit of a myth. I believe years ago, Gouldians ( for whatever the reason) were difficult to breed, and the reputation stuck.

Now days, I don't think Gouldies, are any harder to breed than any other species, and I think easier than some .

Do some Gouldies make bad parents, toss their chicks, and so on? Yes, but this is true for many other species as well (I've had Socies toss chicks ). Do young untried birds have to have some practice runs? Some do and some don't ? And there again, this happens with other species as well.

Most Gouldians, I think make splendid parents, given a chance.

Are Gouldians, any weaker or more sickly than other species? I haven't found it to be so, at least not with my birds. Perhaps some of the newer mutations tend to be a bit more fragile, but that I think, has to do simply with the fact that there is a smaller gene pool . Once the gene pooll grows, by responsible breeding practices, this too will change.

Just my opinion and what I've managed to learn on this Forum and by my own experiences.

[slwatson]

lovezebs

I SO hope you're right! I guess I was surprised at how quickly my societies started breeding, and I need to remember that every species of finches is different, and they all don't do it the same. Honestly, I'm surprised both of my gouldian pairs started so quickly at laying eggs, if they both have them. I just hope they're fertile, and I'm excited to see them hatch

[Madcat]

You got the itchies!!!!

[Babs _Owner]

lovezebs

Gimme a few times to get a handle on these critters woman, or Im going to bombard you with bird poop color questions 10 times a day.

[Babs _Owner]

Madcat

Yes Madcat, you are right. Worse than a hound dog in a flea pile right now ;)