Gouldian Question

[Alley]

Hello,
I have a question about my pair of Gouldians who I am attempting to breed for the first time.
They are 14 months old and are both doing the courtship dance multiple times each day (mornings usually). My hen bobs her head back and flicks her tail. They have a nesting box that they have moved materials into.
Now the hen is spending quite a bit of time in the nesting box for the past 2 and a 1/2 weeks, but there are no eggs yet. Is hat normal? My males tends to sit outside the box most of the time.
Not that I am in any rush, but figured with her spending so much time in there that there would be eggs in there by now.
Thanks,
Kaylee

[debbie276]

They may not be in sync just yet, maybe they aren't bonded to each other. There could be several reasons why they aren't nesting yet. Are you offering hard boiled egg or at least a higher protein food?
The males are usually the ones to go into the box and call to the hen, mating frequently takes place in the box. The males are the ones to do most of the nest building. Males also sing and dance all the time, it doesn't necessarily mean they are breeding.
Sounds like they may need more time.

Usually when the hen goes missing from the perch for the night they are sitting tight on eggs.

good luck

[Alley]

Thank you Debbie.
Yes I have them on a very good diet of egg food, veggies, and good quality seed.
I took away the nesting box today as I noticed my hen has started to moult.
They sure seen like a pair as the male did build the best as they seem to really mind each others company (stand close, preening and share food/water dish).
Since I don't want her to lay eggs while moulting I guess they just have more time to chill and bond right now.
I just found it so odd that she was bunkered down tight in that nesting box. She was in there as much as my zebra hen (different cage) is and she has 3 fertile eggs right now. Maybe that just means she will be a good Gouldian mom in the furture fingers crossed.
Thanks