New Gouldians - nesting

[a_gouldian]

We are new to having Gouldians (and birds) and a few weeks ago received a male and female about 1 year old from a breeder. We attached a nesting box to the outside of the cage. The nesting box has a "veranda" and is enclosed on all but one side, there is a perch below the hole to the enclosed part of the bird house. They seem to have bonded and I saw him doing the hopping dance next to her a few times and they sleep next to each other on a branch. The female's beak is a dark charcoal grey color which I think means she is in breeding mode (?). He has built a shallow nest on the veranda area of the bird house and she is sitting in it a lot, as though there are eggs, but I don't think there are any eggs yet.

Is there any way to tell, because they are young birds, if they are practicing, or is this "real" breeding mode? Is there a problem with them nesting on the veranda area, instead of inside the box? The veranda area is about 5 inches square.

Thanks, Andy

[Sally]

I'll let the Gouldian experts answer your questions, but I wanted to welcome you to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care, breeding, and especially the Gouldian finch.

[a_gouldian]

Thanks. I just looked in the nest box when she was taking a break off the nest to eat, and there is one egg in it so far. I guess she wasn't practicing!

[debbie276]

Sounds like they are in breeding mode. Usually when the hen goes missing from the perch at night they are seriously sitting tight. They will lay one egg a day till about 3 or 4 before they think about sitting steady.
I don't have any of those type of nest boxes but I think a member here did or does. If I remember right a time or two the birds did nest in the front area. Wish I could remember if it was a problem but I don't think so.

Welcome to the forum

[lnlovesorange]

Sounds like you might get Gouldy babies!!! YAY, would you be able to post pictures of your birds? I love Gouldians... and would love to see yours... Good Luck (sorry I can't put more expert advice up, but no one is better than the lady that posted above me about Gouldian Care, breeding and genetics.... But sounds good to me, i think most finch boxes are about 5 inches or so.... Again, good luck, and if you can Pics!!!!

[wilkifam]

Sounds like they are serious. I think they will be fine nesting on the veranda if the want to. It will make it easier for you to watch what is going on for sure.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Welcome to the Forum.

So we already know they are serious

So what now?

At this stage of the game, it's very important that you offer a very good diet.

A very good finch seed mix
Hard boiled eggs
A variety of greens
Cuttle bone, and crushed egg shells for Calcium (very important )

I would also offer a drop or two of birdie vitamins in their water twice a week.

Good luck

[a_gouldian]

Thanks for the replies. We have been doing the supplements in the water, hard boiled eggs with shells, kelp powder, bee pollen, romaine lettuce, breeding mix seed, high protein meal, etc.

I will have to read up on how to attach a post to a post.

Thanks, Andy

[a_gouldian]

Here is a pic of our new female and male that are nesting and started laying eggs.

Andy

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

They are a beautiful pair, and hopefully will give you some lovely little Gouldi babies.

[debbie276]

Very pretty pair you have there!
They should give you beautiful gould chicks
best of luck, keep us posted

[a_gouldian]

After we saw the first egg in the nest the male continued building the nest so when we opened the top of the nest box there was a dome of grass and we couldn't see through it. From the front, inside the cage, the nest is so high that we can't even see her when she is sitting on the eggs.

Do we just let nature take it's course and they are on their own now until the chicks hatch and grow, or at some point should be open lift the nest box cover and part the grass so we can see inside and check up on the eggs/hatchlings?

Andy

[debbie276]

I've had many pair that built up the nest like that. Personally I would leave them be and let them do their thing. If by chance theres a problem you can deal with it then and/or the next clutch. Give them a chance to prove they are good parents.

Good luck

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

I would leave them to do their own thing.
These birds, are fairly new to you, so there really hasn't been a lot of time or opportunity to build up a trust relationship. That being the case, I would leave them to do what comes naturally, without disturbing them or their nest.

[a_gouldian]

Thanks again for the replies. I feel better now about letting them manage on their own this time and hope for the best. Andy