Breeding Cordon Bleu pair

[slwatson]

I've stayed completely away from the nest, but I noticed that starting Friday night, the female has stopped staying in the nest. I don't know if she's been in there much at all this weekend, or if she has eggs in there. Is this typical behavior? They're sitting together now on a perch.

[Sally]

Usually, once CBs start incubating, they don't leave the nest. The hen does most of the incubating, though the male certainly takes his turns so she can have a break. They also usually start incubating with the first or second egg, which is why you have babies of varying ages when they fledge. If she hasn't been in the nest much at all, chances are she either doesn't have any eggs yet anyway, or she has decided to abandon. I'd give it a few more days at least. She could have been checking out the nest, not quite ready yet to start her clutch, so you don't want to be too quick to check. With CBs, you have to do a lot of waiting around!

[slwatson]

Sally

Thanks for the info! I'm hoping she was just checking it out. She had been sitting in the nest for a couple of days, so I was so excited thinking she had laid eggs, then she stopped suddenly on Friday. I can't see in the nest at all. If she did lay eggs, and then decided to abandon, will they throw them out themselves, or do I have to remove them?

[Sally]

If she has abandoned eggs, you may have to remove them, though it is difficult when they build the nest themselves. Sometimes, they will roll out abandoned eggs, sometimes they will simply build another nest. Sometimes it just takes them several tries to decide that conditions are just right. CBs (and many of the waxbills) can be a bit challenging to breed, they will try your patience for sure!

[Rox]

slwatson So exciting, good luck!!! And please keep us updated

Well my blue-cap pair gave up on their first attempt and they built a new nest and started brooding again. Not sure of the males age but the hen is only a year old and this is her first breeding attempt.

I'm not giving up hope yet

[Sally]

Rox Fingers crossed that they get it right this time. CBs can be difficult but they are so worth the effort!

[slwatson]

Sally Rox

Last night I noticed the male was holding coconut fiber in his mouth, and was dancing his little heart out, and the female completely ignored him. She was too busy eating. I did put a container with dry commercial egg food and insect food mixed, and laid it at the bottom so they'll always see that food is there. Then I'll give them fresh food with live insects twice a day. I just wish I could peek into the nest, but it's too hard to get to. I think the male even went in there a couple of times last night, but the female wouldn't follow him.

[Rox]

slwatson

Stacy, it is definitely sounding promising for your pair!!

It's incredibly frustrating not being able to look into the nest, isn't it!? I think my pair perhaps did have chicks hatch because they became frantic at the live food dish. They then gave up, built a new nest and started sitting again and are less interested in their worms right now. If only the new nest wasn't right next door to the old one. I would love to break into it to see what is inside!

[slwatson]

Rox

Sounds like you'll have babies soon! The male is still spending some time in the nest and dancing with her holding a feather, but she's not being really responsive. I guess she's playing hard to get

[slwatson]

I think last night I heard some peeping from the cordon bleu nest! I didn't dare check, but I'm SO hoping I heard right!!

[Rox]

Whoohooo!!!!!! So exciting!!!

Holding thumbs for babies

[Sally]

I think last night I heard some peeping from the cordon bleu nest! I didn't dare check, but I'm SO hoping I heard right!!

It usually takes about 3 days for these babies to get loud enough for us to hear them, and then they will get louder each day. Keeping fingers and toes crossed that you have babies. Be sure to keep the egg food (or live food if you are doing that) dish full all the time. This species tends to toss if they think their food supply may not be sufficient to continue feeding babies.

[slwatson]

Rox Sally

This morning, I was feeding all of the birds before I left for work, and the cordon bleu pair were both in the nest, and I could hear a faint peeping...almost a cooing sound. I don't know if it's them, or a baby, because I've only heard it one other time, and it didn't look like it was coming from the parents. I just wish I knew! I have a dry egg food and insect food mix available in the cage constantly, and then I give them fresh egg food and veggies twice a day, and a ton of meal worms once a day. They sure can eat a lot of meal worms in one sitting! I'll keep you posted!!!

[Rox]

slwatson Sounding promising!

Hoping that the peeping gets louder and louder!

[Jen]

slwatson
Just caught up with this thread. How exciting for you!!! Can't wait to hear the story on your pair. Sounds like there are babies in the nest. The babies really don't make much noise....they are so tiny! So happy for you. Keep us posted !!!