Unsuccessful, but positive signs....

TD · Post by TD » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:32 am

I checked the 3 eggs my pair had today and they were all infertile.
I had an idea that this was the case because I only introduced the male in Feb, and it took them an eternity for them to show any signs of bonding.

Both birds are mature, so age is not the issue. I didn't see them mate because everytime she courted him with her clucking, he flew off thinking he was going to get beaten up! (she was pretty mean to him for quite a while early on!)

But today was a very interesting day. After I took the eggs & nestboxes away, they started acting like they had been bonded forever! She was crouching & clucking, he was doing the heart shaped thing with his wings, they were feeding each other etc the amount of love being shown was incredible! Her being in the box for a few weeks might have triggered this love explosion.

Now I'm not sure what to do, should I wait a week and put the box back in?

I still feel it could be early enough, particularly being 50kms south of Melbourne, and there may be a small window for success. Hope so anyway!

lewi111 · Post by **lewi111** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:44 am

Sure in my opinion why not? You have nothing to lose an maybe a few chics to gain.Good luck

julie · Post by **julie** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 7:36 am

taking the eggs away may have been the trigger for them to be courting/mating again. I would wait a day or so and put the box back in.

TD · Post by TD » Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:56 pm

Yeah I think I will do that Julie.

Appreciate your help guys! Bring on round 2!

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:31 pm

good luck

TD · Post by TD » Sat Sep 05, 2009 12:50 am

Ok, I busted them mating today woot woot!!
Finally the fella got his instruction book out and read it, and she is being very nice to him, & they're feeding & preening each other, showing a lot of love. She has also been spending a lot of time in the box.

So it could be 2nd time lucky!!

Good to hear of everyone elses success so far as well.

Tim.

pinkdevil · Post by **pinkdevil** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 1:36 am

lol maybe he just had to treat her right first before she would "reward" him lol

Good luck for second time round.

TD · Post by TD » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:55 pm

Yeah tell me about it!!

Another interesting thing that I forgot to mention.
Earlier that day, I walked out the front door only to be confronted by a pair of Spur Winged Plover’s mating on next doors roof!! I should’ve taken that as a sign.
A very interesting courtship ritual I might add….. and potentially dangerous if disturbed!

xx_sheena_xx · Post by **xx_sheena_xx** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:51 pm

thats great! i hope you get eggs and babies

Razsringnecks · Post by **Razsringnecks** » Mon Sep 07, 2009 2:46 am

best of luck TD.....maybe 1 was out of sink...this can happen anyway...she may go down again for you.....fingers crossed...best of best of luck....