2 Hens 1 Nest??????

[ranchnanny]

So today after one week I check the nest to see how the hatchlings are getting along. The 3 hatchlings are doing fine that done I went about my business for the day. This afternoon I walk by the Bourke cage and I always count my birds 1,2,3,4,5,6,7? what count again only 7 birds counted can't be I have 9 where is the other hen??? I check the bottom nest nope no hen checked the upper nest there she was sitting right next to the other hen Rosey. Would 2 hens use the same nest at the same time? The normal male I have "KIP" has been mating with some of the other hens. My Pink Bourke male "CHIP" was sitting on the perch of the nest.
I am confused...... -)

[wellingtoncdm]

I have heard of hens sharing nests. Hopefully all goes well but
if she hasn't laid her own eggs in there would you be able to separate that pair?

[ranchnanny]

Don't know will have to wait and see what happens. Kip keeps feeding all the hens what a Romeo.....

[Corkysgirl]

I never heard of this before either...until my zebra finches just started doing it this week. I had a pair already established and added a female that was rejected by my 10 year old male. I purchased her as a mate for him as he lost his mate (she was only 2). He terrorized the new mate so I had no where else to put her so added her to this mating pair. Now both females are laying in the same nest. The nest is overflowing with eggs...literally. They alternate nights sleeping with the male. Not sure how it's going to work out when and if the 11 eggs hatch....who will feed them. Every day there are two more eggs and now they are falling out of the nest. The father is also laying on them. Some families are unique I guess!

[paul-inAZ]

I have two rosy Bourkes doing just that right now. They both sit tight except for a few minutes a day they come out to eat.
These were sold to me as a M/F pair [but not DNA sexed]. I gave them a nest and now have both sitting tight well past the expected 'due' dates on 8 eggs I think are clear. I'm going to check this weekend and remove the eggs and nest box.
Clearly both females.

Looks like I'll be getting me a male. Maybe this time a normal so he can be sexed visually.
Q: would it be wise to put a male in with two hens? If so what would happen if one or all got into a breeding mood?

[Corkysgirl]

It's hard to say what they would do. In my situation, that's exactly what I have, and never experienced before. I introduced a new female to an already established male/female mating pair. Now they seem to both be in a polygamist relationship with "their" male and they alternate sitting on the eggs. One day one female, the next day the other female. Then sometimes the male is in there. Each night they switch off with sleeping in the nest with the male. They seemed to have worked out a system. I'm just not sure what will happen when and if the eggs hatch. Neither female has ever been a mother before, but the male has produced a successful clutch in the past. I hope he will be a good mediator. In your case, your two females get along now. Introducing a male could be harmonious or it could bring on a war. It depends on the bird's personalities. I'm not familiar with the personalities of rosy Bourkes either as they are one bird I've never owned. I'd be ready for all scenarios. Good luck!

[ranchnanny]

Well the hen intruding on Rubies nest as been told to go to the condo downstairs....Pinky has been going in and out of the lower nest and sat for some time today. Hoping she will start laying soon....

[ranchnanny]

Corkysgirl... Bourkes are the sweetest birds and very quite.

Rubies hatchlings (3) are getting big and feathering out...

[cindy]

I don't colony breed my bourkes....but I had a male owl court two owl hens and both hens laid eggs in one nest...fed all 11 babies out...a group effort by three parents.

[paul-inAZ]

As a follow up. The 8 eggs were clear although they looked like they would sit tight forever on them.
I traded one of the Bourke hens with a local breeder for a male and will give them a month or more to adjust to each other before giving them a nest box.

As an aside, I sold all of my Gouldians so am now down to a pair of scarlet chested parakeets and the pair of Bourkes. Each pair in it's own double wide flight cage. Several 30x18x18 finch cages now in the garage.

[Corkysgirl]

Update on my polygamist zebras. I decided to remove the young female and leave the pure white female zebra with the male and babies only. Originally I purchased the white female when my 10 year old lost his mate. The original mate was the only mate in his life time he ever got along with. Believe me, we tried!!! She was with him 2 year but died very suddenly! Chances were slim to none he would take to her but I bought her anyway. So...I left her with the recently purchased male, whose mate also died recently, a freak drowning accident. (two of the very rare deaths we've had). Okay...now I'm completely confusing you! I put the younger female in with the "old man." He rejected her once before. Now they are in love! Miracles do happen!!! And, the one baby had fledged today. Two more are a week behind. Now I know the white female is the mother of two of them as one is white and the other is grey and spotted all over with white. Very weird markings! The other chick is dark grey like the young hen/mother. Everyone is happy...at last!

[Corkysgirl]

Ooops, I put my update in"ranchnanncy's" post. So sorry! It had the same topic line as mine, and I had commented on your prior...confusing my tired brain. I really do need more sleep.