FINCHforum

We have 2 society finches. Our newest one, Pip, was very interested in the wicker hutch in his and Peck's cage. After a few weeks, he began putting nesting material into the hutch. Now, he only leaves the hutch once or twice a day. Is he laying a egg? Peck seems to be taking care of Pip. What do we do to figure this out? We are not ready to nurture an egg. Would it be fertilized? Yikes!

If the birds are a pair (male/female) then yes there is a good chance the egg is fertilized. Societies are usually really tolerant of nest checks so if you're concerned there might be eggs just pull the nest down and shoo the brooding bird out and take a peek.

If there are eggs and you want to know if they are fertile for sure, you can use the flash on your cell phone. Gently hold the egg over the flash and you should be able to see veining in the egg if the embryo is developing.

Of course the eggs are much more delicate than say a chicken egg, so be very gentle.

Colt How long after the egg is laid does this work?

Just because an egg is laid does not mean it is developed. Until the hen begins incubating the egg you will not see any embryo development. A quick Google search should let you know when exactly the first signs of life can be seen, as can MiaCarter, but after a week of incubation you should be able to see something when the eggs are candled.

An egg can only be fertile if you have a male and female of the same species or of a VERY SIMILAR species (for instance Zebra's and Bengalese (Societies) can interbreed, but it's not recommended) I believe if I remember correctly (i might be wrong, if so I'm sorry) But one of your birds is a society and isn't Peck a rescue from outside, that turned out to be a Sparrow? Is that you, or am confusing you? Anyway, if that is you that saved the bird, and Peck is in fact a house sparrow (sorry if I'm messing up the two names) then there is no way the egg is fertile. And if there is an egg, and your Pip is a female, and laying eggs, just be sure she has plenty of calcium!!! And she'll be fine Now, if I'm completely wrong and your birds are the same species, or very similar species, you should research the net to see if they can hybrid-ize.. if so, then candle the egg... and if you aren't ready for baby birds, then don't even bother candling, you can just toss the eggs if they are only a few days old....(if it's been longer than that, candle first, as I know for me i would NEVER throw away an egg if the birdling was already forming... I would feel HORRIBLE, I broke one once that I could see veins in, just veins, couldn'te even see the heartbeat yet, but i broke it and cried!!!) But obviously that is up to you and your belief system. Anyhow, as I said, the most important thing (I believe) in egg laying is the calcium for the Mum, it takes a lot out of her (lol, in more ways than one...) but she deffinitely needs calcium, and a form of Vitamin D3 so that her body will absorb the calcium!! Good luck and KEEP US POSTED!!!! WE love babies around here!!!