I have a nest with 5 chicks now but I have noticed that there is another hen sitting on the eggs , the 2 birds below are the parents

this is mum

 

and this is dad

 

has anybody else found this with colony breeding.

I will put up a picture of the other hen when I can get a picture.

Edited August 23, 200915 yr by Ross Laidler

In the wild it is known that budgies will share a nest when space is limited. Provided the hens are not being aggressive at all, it should be fine. It could be a disaster if one hen decides she wants the other hen out, but if it hasn't happened already i think it will be fine and they will share. They may even share in raising the chicks.

 

Are the two hens sisters?? It seems more common in nestmate siblings.

No not sisters as 1 is only about 12 mts old

okay. Just keep a close eye on them. If she is sharing the nest than thats fine... but make sure she is not invading the nest. Watch her interaction with the original occupants. if there is not aggression what so ever then it will be fine. But if there is fighting, remove her to another cage.

I was at Ross' place yesterday, and we put a few spots on a few birds that looked like they had a bit of scaley face.

 

One hen had appeared aggressive and so Ross had removed this hen to a seperate cage.

 

The two hens in question seem to be co-exisitng well.

I see the 2 hens in the box more than I see the cock.

i had a similar thing two sisters sharing a box... it didn't finish well, i wouldnt keep them together :thumbs_up:

on your descision...

I will probably leave them and watch as they seem to get along fine , when I looked today the 2 hens were on the nest with the 6 babies , I guess at least there will always be one in the box to feed and keep the birds warm