by Jack
(Los Angeles)
Hi Jean I hope all is well. My goulds hatched out their babies about 4 days ago. Awesome! As i look into the nest today i can see at least one egg under the hen that was probably infertile that didn't hatch. i have a bamboo wicker covered finch nest and was wondering what is an appropriate way to take out the bad egg(s) without breaking it, because they have no access door like nest boxes it's really tricky and tight inside (see Attached Picture). I would prefer to leave it in there until the hatchlings fledge then take them out because i dont want to upset the parents with trying to reach down inside the nest and pull it out. But on the other hand i'm worried about disease from the bad egg(s) that might become rancid inside the nest for that long until they fledge. Plus i dont know if all the hatchlings survived, out of 6 eggs i could only varify one bad egg and two live hatchlings (so cute), i guess the rest must be under the hen because they haven't tossed out anything, i don't want any decaying dead babies if any next to my precious hatchlings. the cock and hen alternate turns laying on top of them so i never have a chance to check it out without one or the other brooding and blocking my view. should i intervene if so then whats the proper method you would use so they dont get scared and abandon them, or should i back off, and let them raise their
young. Your input is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance for your time.