Societies aren't always reliable...

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 2:22 am

I have two pair of Societies and both of them have been excellent foster parents. The original pair have raised 2 clutches of Gouldians and the second pair a mixed clutch of both Gouldians and Shaft-tails...don't ask.

The first pair incubated 4 yellow backed Gouldian eggs, 1 being infertile. One hatched about 3 days before the seond egg. The third egg died very close to hatching. The societies fed the first chick very well but then stopped once the second chick hatched.

I handfed the younger chick who still had energy to beg while the older chick looked horribly weak. I did manage to fed it a tiny bit.

The second pair were just sitting on infertile eggs so I swapped the eggs with the two chicks. 5 minutes later......chicks were being fed.

Societies saved the day...again.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:56 am

Very true that not all Society Finches make good foster parents.

Post by **Hilary** » Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:00 pm

I've had mixed results - two pairs will raise any gouldian but don't like the waxbills, another pair will sit on anything but won't feed them, and another pair loves to sit but then always eats the eggs (little buggers).

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:01 pm

I think if you have a good pair...... hang on to them. I have a trio and they will feed WHATEVER I thow at them.

They are now feeding two babies.... one gouldian and one blue-capped.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:17 pm

Mmmm, errr, well, that's the problem. They are great fosters, but apparently not consistently. Like your pair, I sometimes need to pull them off the chicks. They are great at incubating, but not necessary in feeding. The second pair I have are better. Maybe the first pair needs a break.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:20 pm

atarasi wrote:Mmmm, errr, well, that's the problem. They are great fosters, but apparently not consistently. Like your pair, I sometimes need to pull them off the chicks. They are great at incubating, but not necessary in feeding. The second pair I have are better. Maybe the first pair needs a break.

Is there any chance you can mix the pair so both pairs end up feeding well or perhaps one Society of each pair could perhaps teach the other?

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:43 pm

Liz, you just read my mind! I thought about doing that, but I'll need to wait until these two chicks have been weaned.