Hoping for Cordon Bleu hatchlings

[mrski]

It's been two weeks since I've seen both of my cordon bleu pair outside of their nest together. The female stays on the nest ALL day and rarely comes out. I'm hopeful that can only mean eggs and that we could hear hatchlings soon. After reading so many of your stories about the difficulties of breeding CBs, I'm worried how things might turn out, but still hopeful. One of my biggest worries is that they don't eat anything but seeds. I have been providing mini mealworms for weeks, but they don't touch them. Same with greens and egg food. But they built a beautiful nest and have been so diligent in caring for what I can only assume are eggs, so maybe they'll figure it out.

Any tips on what I should expect or prepare for?

Thanks!

[Sally]

I think you are doing all you can right now. I'm very surprised that they aren't eating the mini mealworms, but maybe once the eggs hatch, they will start with more protein. Just keep offering the high-protein foods plus veggies. Are you prepared to hand feed if the parents toss?

[mrski]

Ohhh boy. I don't think so.

[Jen]

The only other tips is "Stay Away" from the nest....even after they hatch and you hear "peeping". The parents are very prone to abandoning at any age of their babies. Best of luck and keep us posted. This is great news. CB's are one of my favorites!

[mrski]

Well, this morning, after three weeks of my CBs diligently tending their nest, I found a tiny, fuzzy, lifeless chick on the cage floor near their food dish. So tiny! We're all so disappointed and sad. My daughter is very upset and can't understand how this could happen.

Both birds have been away from the nest all day, so I don't think there are more eggs.

[Sam007]

So sorry to hear that.

[Sally]

So sorry to hear this. They may have other babies in the nest, but they seem to have abandoned. This is pretty typical for CBs, they can be very difficult to breed.

[Jen]

mrski
I would check the nest if the parents are not going back to it anymore to see if there are babies inside. They could be starving or maybe already dead. If so, I would clean the nest out and let them try again.

Do you have other birds that could be put in the cage with them for a while? Some of my birds were not interested in egg food and greens until they saw other birds eating it.....sometimes referred to as "teacher birds". Now EVERYBODY loves the egg mix. On the positive side, you have a pair that will lay and breed, so I would let them try again. I have CB's that have been successful sometimes and other times not. Best of luck with them! Keep us posted.

[Snow finch]

So sorry to hear of your loss.I hope that they will nest for you again they are a hard species to breed. my pair hatched 3 clutches and I couldnt get them to raise anything past 4 days.

[mrski]

I checked the nest and there are 4 more eggs in it. I just put the nest back up for now, but I really doubt they could still be viable.

@Jen When you say "clean the nest out", do you mean remove all nesting material down to the wicker basket?

I have been hoping to find some Firefinches. I don't know how good they would be as teacher birds. I guess it just depends. I see you have some. Any recommendations?