[LauraJ]

I don't know what to do, this afternoon my female society finch died. I noticed this morning that she looked like she was sick, puffed up and keeping one eye closed, but she was still picking at her food and able to fly, although weakly. Within a matter of hours she was gone, I didn't even have time to get a vet to see her.

About a week ago (I'm not sure exactly how many days), she laid a clutch of eggs. 2 were kicked out but the remaining 2 look like they're fertile (they have a pinkish translucent band). Now what happens to them if they hatch? Do the males take equal part in caring for young, would he take care of them?

I also have 2 spice finches in the same cage, and they all go into the same nest together. I've read that spice finches sometimes act as surrogates to other species' young, and I'm hoping they will help. I don't know what sex the spices are.

The male society and the spices have all been going in the nest (even all 4 of them cramming themselves in there at the same time) but I don't know if they've been going in there to sit on the eggs or if they've just been going in because it's warm and comfortable.

It was random luck that I ended up picking out a male & female and I never expected to see eggs, but here they are and I don't know what to do. If they hatch and the father (or the spices) don't care of the babies, what can I do? Would it be kinder to take the eggs out now and prevent them from hatching? I don't have any experience with breeding or taking care of newborn babies, and the worry about them hatching and then starving to death is breaking my heart. Can anyone offer me any advice?