I have tried not to disturb them but a week ago, when I hadn't seen the hen for several days, I lightly tapped on the plastic box, she flew out, I peeked in and saw four eggs. Just curious what the proper protocol is...gently tap on the box and inspect daily or let Mother Nature take her course?Checking on eggs...
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iluvchessies
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Checking on eggs...
Total Newbie here <VBG> I have a pair of Lady Gouldians who set up a nest two weeks ago I have tried not to disturb them but a week ago, when I hadn't seen the hen for several days, I lightly tapped on the plastic box, she flew out, I peeked in and saw four eggs. Just curious what the proper protocol is...gently tap on the box and inspect daily or let Mother Nature take her course?
I have tried not to disturb them but a week ago, when I hadn't seen the hen for several days, I lightly tapped on the plastic box, she flew out, I peeked in and saw four eggs. Just curious what the proper protocol is...gently tap on the box and inspect daily or let Mother Nature take her course?-
w.l.
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Re: Checking on eggs...
You should avoid disturbing nesting birds unnecessarily, and daily nest inspections are definitely unnecessary.
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Babs _Owner
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Re: Checking on eggs...
iluvchessies
Its kinda a toss up. If you aren't prepared to handfeed and don't know if the parents will abandon, you leave it alone.
If the parents will let you do a nest check and she's sitting tight you can afford a little peek, and I mean quick as lightning, when the hen is eating.
But you always run that risk. I had a tight pair that were on another clutch, and I lost them by nest checking. And I've had pairs that were new and left me to handfeeding their babies but now allow visits.
Gouldians are so individual, you have know what your birds will tolerate.
If she's sitting tight, I would leave them, as WI said.
Its kinda a toss up. If you aren't prepared to handfeed and don't know if the parents will abandon, you leave it alone.
If the parents will let you do a nest check and she's sitting tight you can afford a little peek, and I mean quick as lightning, when the hen is eating.
But you always run that risk. I had a tight pair that were on another clutch, and I lost them by nest checking. And I've had pairs that were new and left me to handfeeding their babies but now allow visits.
Gouldians are so individual, you have know what your birds will tolerate.
If she's sitting tight, I would leave them, as WI said.