Normal Gouldian Parental Behavior

[Paddington]

Hi there,
So my Gouldians have hatched their first clutch almost a week ago and I wonder if they are feeding the chicks enough? I try not to disturb the parents because the hen gets very nervous when I enter the room. They tend to feed the chicks first thing in the morning (I assume since the male eats and jumps in the nest while the female jumps out.) But I am not sure how often they are feeding them or how I would know short of staring at them.

I also noticed when I came home for lunch both parents were huddled in the next is that normal? Are they taking a nap? I still hear cheeps from time to time so I know they must be getting fed.....

I am worried about doing a nest check too. I just do not know what normal parental behavior is for Gouldians.

[ac12]

Do NOT disturb them. Some gouldians will abandon the nest if they are disturbed, others don't mind. The problem is you don't know how YOUR birds will behave.

Just keep providing egg food and their regular food, and let them take care of the chicks. They will feed the chicks all day long.

If you hear cheeping, that is good.

Sometimes both are in the nest, other times only the sitting parent is in the nest. It all depends on the individual birds.

At about the 1 week point, the parents will be out of the nest more, as the chicks will be feathering and can keep each other warm.

If you really want to check the nest, the next time, I recommend you install a nestcam onto the nest, so you can peek without disturbing the birds.
WARNING, a nestcam can be a time sink, when you just watch what is going on in the nest, and nothing else gets done.

gud luk

[Paddington]

Thanks for the help! I think I waste enough time as it is fretting about how they are doing lol

[debbie276]

I agree with Gary, as long as your hearing them beg all is well. It's best to let the parents do their thing till you are familiar with this pair.
Good luck

[Paddington]

Terrible news! I have just discovered the male has passed away, he seemed fine and active this morning and was feeding the chicks? I haven't heard a sound out of the nest in the past half hour and i fear the worst. The female is fine and sitting in the nest, would she still sit if the chicks were dead?

I don't know what could have happened, he looked fine, not fluffed up or sick at all!

[Paddington]

Checked the nest to see two chicks are alive, I think, I know one is apparently my goulds are really crappy nest builders too.

Mom is back to sitting, do you think she will be all right on her own?

Here is the picture I have

[ac12]

Mom will do fine without dad, as long as she does not abandon the nest looking for her mate. But now it is more important to have egg food and their standard food available in quantity, so it is easy for her to eat, then feed the chicks.

Sometimes birds will just die on you, looking good the day before, then dead the next day. I had that happen to me this morning. I found a gouldian dead on the cage floor, and he looked just fine yesterday.

[debbie276]

The chick's that I can see look well fed. Mom will be fine caring for them herself. If you're not offering hard boiled eggs I would add them to their diet.
Good luck

[Paddington]

I offer hard boiled egg everyday but the female never really ate it, but I will keep trying. It was always odd that the female often eats different seed then the male, she goes after my dove's seed (no accounting for taste)

I have been advised to add apple cider vinegar to the water/ sprouted seed just in case. Thanks for the advice, just a little shaken

[lovezebs]

Paddington

Sorry about your loss.

Mom should be ok feeding the little ones on her own.

Good Luck

[erine]

Sorry for your loss. Hope the babe continue to thrive.
E.

[Paddington]

Update: looks like from my examination he got startled crashed into something and broke his neck, while still sad it means that it wasn't a disease.

Mom and chicks are still doing well, they are keeping her busy but their crops are very full so that is good. If only I could get her to eat some egg though : /

[Rox]

Sorry for your loss but at least you can rule out sickness.

I have had gouldian clutches raised before by single parents. From the sounds of it, your hen is doing a good job. Keep us updated

[debbie276]

Sorry for your loss but glad it's not an illness.
It's draining on a single parent but can be done successfully. I'd keep offering her the egg and one day she might just try it. Have you tried sprinkling her favorite seed on top of the egg?
Best of luck

[Derk]

Paddington
Hows everything going?