Confused about Javas

[cindy]

normal split to fawn baby and fawn baby... you can see the eye difference of both.

[Derk]

cindy
Agreed, very cute picture. Thanks for sharing!

[erine]

cindy
How adorable! I noticed the eggs on Saturday and there were two and there were four yesterday so I guess she could still be laying. I'm trying not to bother them at all beyond the basics so I'll have to be patient and just wait and see if she starts staying in the nest all night. Even if the eggs aren't fertile they are so much fun to watch! Thanks for all your help so far.
E.

[cindy]

You're welcome... good luck with them, hope they are fertile!!!

[wildbird]

Cindy, he looks just like them! They both come to me when I come near the cage and nibble on my fingers. He is very tame to me, but stays away from strangers. Every night, when I change the food and water dishes, he jumps in my hand and sets there like he is setting on eggs. I'll bet he would be a good daddy! A couple of months ago I hand fed (first time with a syringe) three baby house finches. Nest was blown down from a palm tree. Had them for 8 days, and he just knew I had some baby birds in the house. So excited and alert, I think he would have fed them!

[cindy]

Javas are definitely smart!!!

When I set up my pairs again I may hand feed out more... have not hand fed java since the clutch your boy came from. Glad he has brought you a lot of happiness.

[erine]

cindy
It seems I can't go longer than a day without asking you a question! My hen has stopped laying at 4. They are so dedicated about sitting all day, often both of them. But nobody is sitting at night. Is this inexperience? They seem like such dedicated parents from nine to five but the eggs won't survive if they don't sit at night, right? I haven't candled them because they are pretty skittish and I don't want to freak them out so the eggs might not even be fertile. I read online about someone leaving a light on all night to convince them it's day time but that kind of seems mean. I don't want babies at the expense of their discomfort. Do you have any suggestions?

[cindy]

Eggs are viable for 7 days from the time they are laid, after 7 days they need to be incubated... you need to give them about 5 to 6 days after steady incubation before candling. I generally leave mine be if skittish and young. Ones that are older and use to me I can candle eggs, check young without then being to alarmed.

Do not keep the light on all day, they need to still be kept on a night and day schedule. A nightlight is fine to use.

when was the last egg laid? they can skip a day and lay more.

Are you certain they are not sitting at night and you are catching them out of the box when you enter the room...if you make a noise or unlatch a door perhaps that brings them out of the box.

[erine]

cindy
Cindy,
The last egg was laid yesterday, so maybe she's not done. Her first egg was laid last Friday so I'll just wait and see what happens. Have you ever had birds not incubate at night?

[cindy]

No, once done the hen will sit steadfast in the box, male will continue to build a nest around her and up over her. You still have time... the can skip a day of egg laying.

Males will go in and out of the box but mostly will stay out, eat and go in and feed the hen. The hen leave the box and the male goes to sit or the hen leaves, passes a dropping, eats quickly and goes back to sit.

At lights out they both go in the box or the male sits outside. As the family hatches and fledge... all usually return to the box at night.

[cindy]

do you have a small perch outside/near the entrance to the box... the male usually sits there while the hen incubates, he may also sleep there.

[erine]

cindy
I don't right now but I'll remedy that quickly. What a great idea, thanks. I'll keep you posted.

[erine]

Ah,@cindy, our resident Java expert, you were right. We're up to 5 eggs and she must have just skipped a day. Maybe she simply isn't done yet. I'm going to stop worrying, trust to instinct and leave them the heck alone. Hooefully she'll be done soon and start sitting at night. It's a good lesson in my patience, lol.

[cindy]

She may or may not be done.... time will tell. Keep us updated. I am sure they will do just fine!!!

[erine]

cindy
8 eggs and night incubation has started. You were totally right. She just wasn't done. I probably won't try to candle, just leave them be and see what happens.