Gouldian hen laying eggs without a nest?

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 10:40 pm

Has anyone had a gouldian hen lay eggs with no nest for them?

If so what happened to the eggs?

Chris

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:26 am

Only once. She laid them just sitting on a perch. The eggs were damaged and thrown out.

FeatherHarp · Post by **FeatherHarp** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:29 am

My Gouldian had just laid two eggs while sitting on the top perch a couple weeks ago. I was there to see her push out the first one. Both fell to the floor and broke. But she hasn't laid any more now thank heavens.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 8:57 am

I have a blue hen laying eggs for 3 days so far (1 each day) from a perch in her cage even though I do have a nestbox installed. Two eggs were no good. The last one is fine and I put it in the box. Hopefully today she'll get the hint of where to lay the rest of the clutch.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 5:18 pm

what about hens that are kept with hens do they still lay eggs alone?

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 6:19 pm

Hens can certainly lay eggs anytime - they don't need cocks to produce eggs; however the eggs will not be fertile.

Post by **Sally** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:51 pm

I have some female-only cages, and I find eggs on the bottom from time to time. The males are in other cages, but in the same room, so I guess the hens are reacting to hearing the boys.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 12:02 am

Thanks Sally for your thoughts.

I guess I really can't stop mother nature or prolong it. I was hoping to have my gouldians nest in another month but they have come into breeding mode. The males are tearing up the newspaper at the bottom of the cage and the hens are making the feeder cups their nesting areas. I have introduced the nests into the cages today and one of the pair have already taken residence in the box.

Oh well... I guess I wouldn't be able to band the chicks when they hatch.

Chris

Post by **Sally** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 9:08 am

Yes, you can't stop Mother Nature. I tried to do that with my Goulds, and I delayed it so long that they are starting to molt, which ends the breeding. Oh, well, next time.

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 2:11 pm

chrischris wrote:... I have introduced the nests into the cages today and one of the pair have already taken residence in the box.

Oh well... I guess I wouldn't be able to band the chicks when they hatch.

Chris

Chris, I'm wondering why you say you won't be able to band the chicks? Not having more than the one pair of GBs, and never having banded birds before, I'm wondering if it's because you don't know who laid the eggs? Just curious...

Fran

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:12 pm

Fran because when the chicks are at an age for banding I'll be on vacation and my friend who is feeding the birds won't band them for me.

Chris

franny wrote:
chrischris wrote:... I have introduced the nests into the cages today and one of the pair have already taken residence in the box.

Oh well... I guess I wouldn't be able to band the chicks when they hatch.

Chris
Chris, I'm wondering why you say you won't be able to band the chicks? Not having more than the one pair of GBs, and never having banded birds before, I'm wondering if it's because you don't know who laid the eggs? Just curious...

Fran

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Nov 21, 2008 6:54 pm

Ahhh! And here I thought it was something that any finch keeper should know! Silly me.

Well I hope you have a great holiday anyway. And I don't blame your bird sitter for not doing it for you... I'm actually paying someone else to clip my GBs toenails because I'm too frightened of hurting them myself.