The last of four eggs (Society Finch) was laid on 1/21. None have hatched yet. How long do I wait to consider them infertile? Both parents are still sitting on them. This is my first time being a “Finch MaMa” and I keep researching, but I’m still unclear! Thank you for any advice!
Love your daily pellet diet!
Hi Mary,
Society Finch eggs take 12-16 days from the time that she begins to incubate them. Since the eggs are laid every other day, they will hatch at the same rate. A lot of hens will not begin sitting until she has laid a couple of eggs, or even until she has laid all of her eggs. I would count 16 days from when her last egg was laid, and then give them about 5 more days to be sure. Most likely, she will abandon them anyway if they don’t start to hatch. Since you mentioned being new to this, I’m assuming this is the first clutch for the pair? If so, most first clutches fail, so don’t be too disappointed. But you do want to take the nest away and rest the pair for several months before returning the nest. Otherwise they will keep nesting and laying eggs over and over, and this is not good for the female’s health. In the wild, the weather would change, signaling the end of breeding season, but in captivity, we have to make sure they do not over breed. You mentioned they are eating pellets, so this is very good. You can also offer dark leafy greens and chopped veggies. For breeding, laying eggs and feeding chicks, they also need an egg food. Cooked eggs with the shell washed, crushed and cooked with the eggs works well, or buy a commercial egg food. When they are being rested from breeding, they do not need the egg food. You would resume it when you return the nest to them.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
