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Gouldian breeding mode question
Posted: Sun Aug 20, 2017 9:43 am
by a_gouldian
If a Gouldian pair is in breeding mode, has a clutch, and right after they fledge the nest box is removed or the entrance blocked - does that have any impact or them staying in breeding mode for a second clutch after the first clutch is weaned?
Re: Gouldian breeding mode question
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 4:31 pm
by ac12
That is exactly what I do.
I remove the nest after the last chick has fledged, or when I can catch all the chicks OUT of the nest at the same time.
I have a pair sitting on eggs of their 2nd clutch, scheduled to hatch tomorrow.
Re: Gouldian breeding mode question
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 4:47 pm
by lovezebs
a_gouldian
They will stay in breeding mode for a while, and you might get the occasional egg here and there, which you can simply remove.
Once the chicks have weaned and been seperated from the parents, you can cut down on high protein foods such as hard boiled eggs and or dry egg food, which will get them out of breeding mode.
Re: Gouldian breeding mode question
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:10 pm
by a_gouldian
lovezebs wrote:
a_gouldian
They will stay in breeding mode for a while, and you might get the occasional egg here and there, which you can simply remove.
Once the chicks have weaned and been seperated from the parents, you can cut down on high protein foods such as hard boiled eggs and or dry egg food, which will get them out of breeding mode.
We would like them to have a second clutch. The problem we are having, and it has happened with two different pairs, is that there have been a variety of issues if they start laying eggs again for a second/third clutch and there are still fledglings in with the parents.
Such as:
a) The fledglings damaging the eggs when they go in the nest to sleep at night with the parents.
b) The father tossing chicks when they hatch after two successful clutches.
c) The female getting crazy when the fledglings try to go in the box and she has eggs in there.
This is different things happening with two different sets of parents. Two breeders have told me that they will all be one happy family, but that is not our experience and we are not going to let it happen any more. From now on the nest box is coming out or will be blocked and once the fledgling(s) are weaned and removed from the cage we will let them start laying eggs again.
Re: Gouldian breeding mode question
Posted: Mon Aug 21, 2017 5:12 pm
by a_gouldian
ac12 wrote:
That is exactly what I do.
I remove the nest after the last chick has fledged, or when I can catch all the chicks OUT of the nest at the same time.
I have a pair sitting on eggs of their 2nd clutch, scheduled to hatch tomorrow.
Thanks Gary. That is what we will start doing as well.