My New Gouldian Clutch - Perplexed and Worried!

[rcharrod]

All,

I have been posting a few pics of my 7-strong Gouldian clutch in another thread in this forum, but wanted to start a new thread as the parents' behavior has just suddenly changed. Background - they are first time parents and are in a pretty large flight (over 40 wide, like 36 tall and 20 deep). The first eggs hatched on October 23/24, so call it like 8-9 days old, and there are 7 total. As of yesterday, everything appeared to be going swimmingly, with babies being fed, full looking crops, the parents taking turns feeding and the female sitting in nest overnight. Nest checks have been minimal, like once every few days, and they haven't caused her to abandon.

Then, abruptly last night, the female left the nest and (I believe) stayed out overnight. Since then, I have noticed her going in there infrequently, with the babies begging loudly), then coming back out. And I did notice the male going in there once with her at same time. I don't know of any particular environmental event or change that could have caused her to leave the nest.

This doesn't feel like normal behavior to me, but I'm sure each pair is different. The babies all appear to still be alive, but I'd love to get peoples' thoughts regarding how they look for 8-9 day old chicks. I do see crops clearly with food in them, but is it enough, are the crops big enough? I've attached a current picture I just took.

My mom wants to try to hand feed potentially, but I'm not sure we're up for that. I'm leaning toward the Society fostering route (I know no guarantee of success) if necessary, but I'm just not sure whether or not we have a real problem or not.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated - thanks as always to everyone!

[debbie276]

Around 10 days old the parents may not sit so much anymore, 8-9 is a tad bit early but not too much to panic over.
They look well fed and I would just wait and see how they progress.

good luck

[rcharrod]

Ok, will do - thanks very much for your prompt reply

[debbie276]

Your very welcome

[rcharrod]

debbie276

One other quick related question - if the hen stops sitting, are they now old enough to keep warm?

I've been watching them for last hour, and both parents are taking turns feeding, so I feel better...

[debbie276]

They are better able to keep themselves warm now so the parents don't need to sit so tight on them so you may see them off more then on. Both parents should continue to take turns feeding till they are weaned.

[lovezebs]

rcharrod

You worry too much .

Babies are fine, crops have food in them, and all is well In the world.

Once chickies are a bit bigger, the parents will spend less time in the nest, other than for feeding. You have a large bunch over there, and they will keep each other warm. They are indoors, so they are not going to freeze at this stage of the game.

Tell Mom, sorry, no hand feeding with this clutch .

Good luck

[ac12]

I would minimize nest checks as much as possible. And do it in the least obtrusive way as possible, which is one reason for using outside hanging nests.

With new parents, you do not know how they will react to nest checks. Some will abandon the nest and the eggs or chicks with the least provocation. Even some that allowed nest checks may change later, so be careful.

gud luk on the clutch.

[rcharrod]

lovezebs

You gotta cut me some slack, a lot of first time Gouldian parents over here (birds and humans)...

[rcharrod]

ac12

Thanks very much. They actually do have an outside hanging nest, with the flip open top. But I agree on the nest checks - they've been pretty tolerant but we don't want to chance it. Not planning to check again - next stop fledges! (hopefully)

[ac12]

rcharrod

That is why I installed nestcams in my nestboxes.
It satisfies my desire to peek and see what is going on in the nest without me disturbing the birds.

But nestcams are time sinks, as I watch, and watch, and watch, and ....
And nothing else gets done. It is especially bad when chicks are in the nest.

[lovezebs]

rcharrod

Awww.... no worries....just funning with you, and trying to get you to relax a bit

It's easy to get all... .

As long as parents are feeding, and chicks are growing, it's all good .

Offer lots of good food, lots of egg, spray millet, greens.....
I offer my egg, (if I told you this before, put it down to poor memory on my part) squeezed through a garlic press, mixed with pulverized freeze dried mealworms, crumbled spray millet, and crushed store bought egg food.

I find that my guys will feed this mix to the babies, along with a variety of greens. The kids grow like wild weeds on this stuff.

[Babs _Owner]

rcharrod

Even with 4 chicks my Bri is spending more time outside the nest. I think she is like "its HOT in here!"

You have (thankfully) a LOT of babies in there to keep the temperature up high enough. The parents seem to know when to let them cool off a bit Gonna be good times with that big nestful of babies!

[debbie276]

Curious Elana, how do you crumbled spray millet? Do you leave the hulls on or de-hull each seed?

I also use a garlic press so the egg looks a bit wormy and then just add about a tablespoon of handfeeding formula per egg to dry it out and boost the nutrition. After all handfeeding formula is a complete food and if you breed you should have some in your pantry.

[SocietyBird]

Good luck with everything! How exciting and what a large clutch of babies!!!