What does it mean if a finch couple removes a lot of nesting material after the eggs are laid??

Question

My finches are first time parents and they laid eggs already.

I noted that they threw a cracked egg out of the nest and that they have removed nearly all of the nesting material while the male continues to incubate the 2 eggs that remain.

is this okay that they took out so much nesting material???

there is barely any in there

Answer 1

I raise Zebra & Java Rice Fiches . The Nesting materials are needed by the young after they hatch to help support their bodies under their legs. Without it , Young birds can get what is called Splay-Legged! Which makes getting around in life a bit too difficult! The parents might have removed some cause there was too much... with just two eggs it should hardly present a problem as long as there is some in the nest to give the young birds support when they hatch & til they fledge!

If the parents have been sitting awhile & it's close to thier hatching date I SUGGEST  you don't give them any new nesting material @ this time. they'll just end up covering over the eggs & you could lose any hatchlings that you get! If  in 12 to 16 days later there's no hatching... The eggs are probably no good.  Toss 'em and begin with fresh material! I usually give the birds strips of torn up cotton balls then after the foundation of the nest is there I give them some 6-8 inch stems from some tall field grass/ weeds in my yard! Then theuy can add or subtract as they see fit  until satisfied! The cotton foundation is usually never pulled with the grass stems so there's always gonna be enough & I never need to worry!

Good Luck! Feel free to contact if any other questions should arise~!

Answer 2

Often the parents will remove the nestling materiel when it is soiled and a cracked egg would be full of bactiera.

Leave the pair alone. Check on them from afar, but stay calm and quite and leave them alone to hatch and care for the chicks.

More times than not parents will break the egg's or kill the chicks when disturbed.

Any stress at on new parents is risky.

Answer 3

They probably don't even want those two eggs.  They threw the cracked one out because they don't want one that is cracked.  It's probably not OK that they are taking out the nesting material but when there is nothing left or the parents aren't interested in the eggs then you need to take him and put them under a light to keep them warm.  If they do happen to be under your care then you need to call your vet and ask them what you need to do to take care of them.

I hope I helped!

Answer 4

If there is barley any, sometimes the mom's kill the babies. sad, yes. They threw out the cracked one, becasue it was useless to them. not a surviver of the nest.=[