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First Egg???

23 9:59:00

Question
QUESTION: I have 2 pairs of zebra finches. 2 are males and 2 are females. Only yesterday, I added 2 nests into the cage to let them breed. About 1 week ago, I also saw 1 of the pairs mating. Now I noticed that the female keeps sitting in the nest and only occasionally comes out and then the male goes in. Does this mean that the first egg has been layed?

ANSWER: They have eggs. Best to leave the nest alone or else they may abandon it

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QUESTION: But just today I had noticed that they were not in the nest. But the male seems to be still building the nest. Does this mean that they will start incubating the eggs a little while later, like in a few days?

P.S. I did not touch the nest or even disturb them in any way.

ANSWER: Sounds like they may be building the nest over the eggs. Keep an eye on them and if they are, that means they have abandoned the eggs and not the nest. If this is what has happened you have a choice to make, you can either care for the babies yourself (assuming there is any) or let them die (assuming there is any). It is not impossible to hand raise finches but it is difficult

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have checked in the nest and there were no eggs. But, I haven't checked under the nesting material. It looks like there were no eggs in the first place. Although, the female still seems to be going into the nest at some times and so does the male. What does this mean?

Answer
Doesn't sound like something to worry about. She will eventually lay but I find that birds prefer to sleep in nests over perches. They could just be enjoying their little home. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just keep an eye on things and check under the nesting material just in case