Mating of gouldians

[shore]

My gouldian cock was singing every day. Now he has stopped. Is this an indication that he has mated with the hen? Some other explanation? They both seem to look into the nest box but I have not seen them enter it.

[paul-inAZ]

Hard to guess if they've mated or if she was not responsive. Is she in breeding condition?
They typically mate in the nest box. If they did mate you will know if you see an egg in about 4 days.
Just to be safe offer some crushed eggshells as a source of calcium. She'll need it to make her egg shells.

[MariusStegmann]

The hen picks the male. If she is receptive, she sit next to the male when he is singing and shake her tail feathers in a side to side movement.

[shore]

I placed a pair of gouldians in a breeding cage several weeks ago. They immediately started investigating the nest box and for the last week and a half, the male has been busy constructing an elaborate nest. The hen visits the nest and sometimes has helped to arrange the nesting material. There are no eggs yet. The hen seems to be eating and drinking constantly while the male is still working on the nest. Is this normal behavior prior to egg laying? How soon should I expect to see eggs if its going to happen?

[MariusStegmann]

Normally within a week.

[shore]

There are two eggs in the nest but the male is sitting on them. Has anyone experienced this?

[MariusStegmann]

Normally, there will be 6 eggs, but less is also possible. Perhaps the hen is young or there is something wrong with her egg producing parts. I have had as few as 5.