New Gouldians - nesting

[lnlovesorange]

debbie276 Question. Btw Andy, BEAUTIFUL Birds... My question to Debbie is that one on the right is a BH, but the beak is Red tipped, does that mean he is split to RH? Sorry, I'm trying to learn my gould Genetics... for the day I dare to breed mine... (if I ever get a female!) lol
@a_gouldian But wow what great looking birds, I only have RH/ and YH no BH but they sure are pretty. Do you mind (again being in MA it's tough) where did you get them?

[debbie276]

Black Head gouldians have red tipped beaks. The one on the left is a hen in breeding mode and that is why her beak is black. When she comes out of breeding mode the tip will be red.

[lnlovesorange]

Thanks Deb!!!! I did know the sexes... well i though i Did... and I was right!

[a_gouldian]

debbie276 Question. Btw Andy, BEAUTIFUL Birds... My question to Debbie is that one on the right is a BH, but the beak is Red tipped, does that mean he is split to RH? Sorry, I'm trying to learn my gould Genetics... for the day I dare to breed mine... (if I ever get a female!) lol
@a_gouldian But wow what great looking birds, I only have RH/ and YH no BH but they sure are pretty. Do you mind (again being in MA it's tough) where did you get them?

We got the two Gouldians from Bev Birds in Tucson, AZ.

[a_gouldian]

It is now 11 days since I saw the first egg in the nest. We think she laid 5-6 eggs based on when she started sitting on the nest more during the day. Today, when going in the room briefly to change water, food, turn lights on and off, about 6 times total from morning through evening, she wasn't out of the nest at all. Tonight the male was in the nest with her and didn't come out to see who had entered the room. In the evening we had noticed him going in the nest over the last 5 days and while in the nest was softly cooing to her (we hadn't heard him make that sound before).

Does this sound normal and like everything is going all right with them?
In the last few days when we did see her out of the nest she was mostly eating ravenously before going back into the nest.

Andy

[debbie276]

Sounds like things are going well, keep us posted

[a_gouldian]

I am wondering if the eggs are fertile. I looked in the nest box when she came out for a few minutes to eat this morning and there are 4 eggs. The first egg was laid on March 3. If she laid one a day it's been 15 days since the last egg was laid. She is sitting on the nest all the time except when she takes a quick break for a few minutes to eat. He stays in the nest with her all night and at times during the day as well.
Should the eggs have hatched by now?

[debbie276]

They don't sit tight till about the 4th egg so it's been 15 days. I'd wait another week just in case the dates are off unless you can candle them and see what's going on.

[a_gouldian]

I think if we try to candle them it would be too disruptive. She didn't seem to mind me looking in the box (she was eating) but the male was doing a low chirp and hoping from branch to branch near the box so I think he was a little concerned. She went right back into the box after eating. She doesn't stay off the eggs long enough to have much opportunity to look in there much. And it's hard to catch her when she is off the nest. They are in there a room where the only traffic is when we go in to check on them, or change food and water. They are alone most of the day.

[debbie276]

I would leave them be then for at least another week. If nothing else they are learning.
good luck

[a_gouldian]

We candled the eggs this morning in the nest when she was out eating and they are not fertile. We removed the eggs and did crack them and they were definitely not fertile. It's been 18 days since the last egg was laid.

We removed the eggs. Should we leave the nest in place? It is very clean. Will they try again soon? Will they be flustered that the eggs are gone? So disappointed.

On a brighter note we received a Red-faced Star Finch pair this morning that look really nice. They are in a separate cage in a different room for now.

[a_gouldian]

A few hours after the eggs removed and they were eating a lot and preening. He started to do his courtship dance next to her on perch, singing while he was doing it, and in between the hopping he would lower his head and shake it in front of the female. She was chirping and watching him. A little before this they went into the nest together and stayed there for 5 -10 minutes. I think they are in the process of mating again.

[wilkifam]

They should start another clutch if you remove the eggs. Beautiful pair by the way.

[peter121378]

a_gouldian

Beautiful pair...keep us posted w/ baby pics when available.

[a_gouldian]

The 5th egg was laid this morning in the second clutch. Hoping that these are fertile. Will candle them later next week.