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My Gouldians hatched three babies this morning. I am expecting the other two eggs in the clutch to hatch in the next few days. Should I worry about the two younger birds not getting enough to eat after they hatch?

Congratulations! Make sure that the parents are taking care of the babies. If you can peek in the nest box without bothering the parents, do that and make sure that the babies are getting properly cared for by Dad and Mom. Sometimes Goulds are not the best parents, especially if they are first-timers.
If the other eggs hatch in the next few days, and the parents are taking good care of the first babies, you should have nothing to worry about.
Keep us updated.

I have been checking the box every day, so I can peek without causing too much disturbance. I figured that what the birds are used to won't bother them.

I misjudged the hatch time for the other two eggs. When I candled them last they were at a different stage of development, red vs: dark, but they were hatching/hatched last time I checked.

I'm watching them like a hawk to make sure they are taking care of the chicks. I co-fed my cockatiel (along with her parents) a few years ago, so if need be I am ready to hand feed.

I am also ready to band the chicks at five days old. Does anyone have any advice on this? The instructions say to use a lubricant on the chick's foot, but not what kind...

Are you wanting to band them for selling or to just ID them from the parents? I ask because putting the closed bands on can be difficult at first and it's not unusual, after struggling with tiny feet, for the bands to fall off in the nest.
Of course, the advantage of a 'dated' closed band is proof of age to a buyer/breeder.

I often used the expandable plastic bands for keeping track of birds I planned to keep. They come in a range of colors and if you keep a paper record at the time of banding I find it easier to identify birds by just looking at the color band they're wearing. With a closed band you usually have to catch them to read the info.
The plastic ones can also be placed on the birds after fledging.

I would sometimes use lotion or a little vaseline to get the closed bands on, but you need to remove as much as possible afterward since the oils will end up coating the feathers of the parents.

I am planning on selling them at this point in time, when they are ready that is. I find it very helpful with my other birds to know their hatch age from the bands, and wish the two different breeders I got my finches from would have banded their birds.

I will make sure that any lube that I use will be taken off as much as possible, so don't worry about that. I just wanted to know what to use just in case I need it.

Regarding banding, we've found it easiest to band chicks just about the time they fledge. They are big enough then that you don't have to worry about the band coming off (we use plastic), but still have such limited mobility that it's easy to catch & band them even if they're already out of the nest. Also eases my concerns about disturbing the nest while hatchlings are still so tiny & vulnerable. Yeah yeah, I worry too much, but they're my babies!!!

Cheers,
Pat

I banded them sucessfully about a week ago now. With the closed bands I was worried that if I waited too long that I wouldn't be able to get them on.

http://www.christiessite.com/babyfinches

I will update soon with the latest photos. They are so darn cute now! They are covered with pin feathers and you can see the beginnings of white bellies.

Well, here is an update. All five of the chicks are fledged and doing well. The spots on the sides of their beaks are just about gone. I keep thinking in low light that I can see the beginnings of color on them, but in sunlight or bright indoor light they are the same non-descript color. I can't wait to see how they color out.