Hi, just discovered this site and joined today. After reading some of the harsh words directed at others seeking help and reassurance, I am hesitant to even ask my questions. But hopefully there are more of you out there who wish to be helpful than hurtful.

 

We have a blue and white male rescued from the great outdoors July 4, 2003,

and a green and yellow female adopted from my niece February 2005.

I believe she had been given to my niece as a birthday present in August 2004.

So the female is about 2 and a half years old, while the male is at least 3 and half years old.

And the two birds have been living together for almost 2 years now.

The male never really had a name until the female came to live with us.

My niece had named her "Cher", so of course now the male is "Sonny".

 

As soon as we found the first bird bird, I have read everything I could find on taking care of them.

When we got Cher, I read about breeding, got a nest box, etc.

However, Cher never really seemed to hit it off with Sonny.

She tolerates Sonny, never lets him preen her, chases him off the perch she is on, pretty cantankerous overall. Never outright nasty or biting, though.

She doesn't like us people much either.

Never been able to handle her, not sure what kind of terror she may have gone through with my niece.

 

But she has laid three eggs in one of those logs that are filled with soft wood for the birds to hollow out.

The little log is only about 3 inches around and nine inches long- definitely not good nest box size.

 

I am fairly sure the eggs are not fertilized- she has never let him get that close to her- at least not that I've ever seen.

 

So, what do I do now?

 

 

Cher seems to be doing the mommy thing very well- spends most of her day in the log.

Sonny also joins her, or rather tries to fit himself in there- not quite enough room for everybody.

Cher seems to be a little friendlier to Sonny, but not by much.

 

Do I transfer the eggs to a new box that she has never in her life been in before?

Should I just take her eggs away and give her marbles to play mommy with a while?

Or leave everything the way it is and let the birds figure it out themselves?

 

After it seemed that they were not going to mate I never really expected them to lay eggs, with them not being very "bonded". I took away my homemade nest box from before, which neither of them ever went into anyway.

 

They have shared the same cage for all this time, are not shut in- have full run of the room the cage is in.

Would it be cruel to pen one or both in now at this late date?

 

Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome

Don't worry reitbauer, I was in the exact same predicament, only my girl decided she wanted to lay her eggs in her exercise wheel!!. I gave her a nest box, after discovering this and she promptly moved into it. However I did this before she had started laying any eggs.

I guess you could try and give them their box back and see if she lays in it. If not I would just let her go ahead with it. If you remove the eggs she will just lay more. If you put the eggs in another nest box that she hasn't been in, I'd be afraid that she wouldn't know where they would be and abandon them?

Are you prepared for babies? As in are you able to house them all?

I would say let her go ahead with it and give her the nest box as an option and if she moves into it permanently then you can give her her other eggs as well. Do you have any pictures of the nest site??

 

This forum is usually a very good forum. If anyone is being a bit harsh, ignore them, because we are not all like that. Most of us are very nice people and we welcome new members and their budgies. The fact that you came here to ask for advice, shows that you care about you budgies and that is what matters most.

Hello, and welcome to the forum! We are glad you joined, despite your hesitation. Sometimes people clash. If you would let me know which post you found unnerving, I would appreciate it. Unfortunately it sometimes takes a while to get through all the posts, and if it is something that needs the attention of staff we do need to know about it. As a rule though, we are a friendly bunch. Don't hesitate to ask your questions.

 

I know the little logs you are talking about. I have entertained the thought of getting them for my birds, but for the very reason you described, I haven't. There is a good chance the eggs aren't fertilized if you say she rarely likes attention from Sonny. But many people never see their birds mate. If you cover the cage, any mating is probably taking place in the early hours of dawn before you uncover them. You can leave the eggs. She may lay a few more and incubate them, but will realize they won't hatch after a while. You can also candle the eggs after they are 5 or 6 days old to see if they are fertilized. You would know what you are up against a little better that way. If you prefer to remove the eggs to make sure they do not raise a family, you can do that and replace them with fake eggs or marbles if you wish. You can also remove them and not replace them with anything, but if you choose to do that, please also remove the log at the same time. Whatever you choose, I would remove the log at the appropriate time anyway. If they like to chew on it, hang it up instead so she can't sit in it. They also make hanging "balsa" wood toys for the birds to destroy, and that is one of the toys I give mine instead. Your hen is at a prime age for breeding, as she is mature enough both physically and emotionally to properly care for a clutch of babies. But without a good bond with Sonny, it is not likely. Even if the eggs were fertile and did hatch, unless she allows him to feed her and help care for the babies, they would probably not get the proper attention they should. Which would bring up another set of problems. Attempting to transfer the hen to a new nest box normally doesn't work, and also defeats the purpose of not wanting to entice them to start a family. Does Cher allow Sonny to feed her? Does she leave the eggs regularly to eat, drink, defacate, and have a fly around?

 

Again welcome, and I hope have helped a little.

Welcome and hope you enjoy the forums, I sure have learned at lot here! And just like in real life, we have our ups and downs sometimes but this is usually a great place to log onto! I can't really tell you what to do about adding a nest box at this point, all I can tell you is my own experience. If your eggs are fertile, there is a possibility that they will hatch if handled very gently. I had two birds that I did not give a nest box to and did not want to breed but they continued to lay eggs on the cage floor despite me not wanting them to. I kept throwing away the eggs until a retired budgie breeder told me to let them alone, they probably wouldn't hatch anyhow. But they did, even although I provided a nest box, they ignored it and carried on raising their family in the plant pot container I put on the cage floor. I was constantly cleaning the cage paper and babies but everybody grew up happy and healthy. I had other problems with the pair continuing to lay eggs but won't elaborate on that here, my experience is on old posts. You could addle the eggs by shaking them vigorously but you say you want babies so you may or may not end up with them, if it is the former,like Sailorwolf said, ask yourself if you are ready and prepared for babies, I had a retired budgie breeder holding my hand all the way and gave the bubs to friends that wanted them. :greenb: Good Luck in your decision.

Edited December 20, 200618 yr by Phoebe

Hi Reitbauer,

 

I am really dissapppointed about the impression you have about this forum. I am a pretty new member, having joined after reading it for about 5 - 6 months. I joined because I found the opposite to be true. I found that most people were really friendly and helpful. Unfortunately not everyone always agrees on different issues and it seems that just lately, there are a couple of people who seem to go out of their way to shove their opinions down everyone elses throats in a nasty way. Thankfully these posts are not the norm. If I see one I just don't read or respond to them.

 

Annnyyway, to address the real reason behind your post. Budgies in the wild use holes in trees as nests, and they usually only seem big enough for one or two babies heads to stick out from. The hen wouldn't have laid her eggs there is she didn't think it was good enough. I think I would probably leave them, see if they hatch and monitor their progress. If they run into problems you may need to be prepared to hand rear them, so read up on that in the meantime and keep some rearing mix on hand.

 

I am glad you are here!

 

Feathers

Could I suggest you attach the hollow log to a nesting box (at the entry hole )so your bird has to travel through it to get into the nesting box hole. If your log is too long, maybe saw it in half or to about 3 inches of log and no more than that... and then entry hole. Place her eggs in the nesting box on some wood shavings and hope for the best. She may just continue to lay in the nesting box. She will get it in the end. Good luck with her and welcome to the forum. Everyone here is great....maybe we went through a patch of pre christmas tension. You will love it here for info and socially.

Following is a picture of the log and cage set up Sonny and Cher have.

They are not ever shut in to their cage, but have freedom to come and go as they please.

They like to hang out on the "tree" I made of real sticks stuck in a length of PVC pipe.

 

 

Hi, welcome to the forum, this forum is a very friendly place pretty much every day I hope you enjoy it here. You have very beautiful birdies!

 

 

Carri

Hi and Welcome to our family. As in most families we do get some tiffs. but we certainly support each other.

 

Some side information, some breeders use hollow logs to see when the hens come in season. They hang the logs in the hens cages and those that show interest are usually about to come into season.

 

Everyone has given such good advice, I would only repeating them.

 

Good Luck and enjoy the forums.

Edited December 21, 200618 yr by daz

Back when these birds where first over in england they used coconut shells as nests for them. so they are known to breed okay in small spaces. I've even read online of babies layed and raised in a seed dish.

 

What you have to deside here is are you ready for these eggs to hatch? (if they do) Are you happy to let her continue in this 'nest' or would you rather her start again in a box you made. You mentioned that Sonny tries to get in with her, what does she do? Scream at him try to attack him or happily lets him near her and the eggs?

Cher is very tolerant of Sonny when he crams himself in to the log with her.

 

She lets him feed her, and they make cute noises together in there.

She comes out several times to do her bathroom thing, and Sonny just goes crazy trying to be next to her.

But she pecks at him to leave her alone- she is busy trying to do something after all.

When she is done with her break, she zooms right back into the log.

 

She seems to be doing everything right.

And seems healthy and strong from what I can tell when she appears briefly.

She still flies strong and can still tell Sonny where he needs to go.

 

Next time she is out I will try to see if there are any more eggs since last count of 3.

I am fascinated to hear more about this story. Please keep us informed and good luck with any possible babes!

Shell

would love to see pictures as Shell says sound very interesting.

Well it sounds to me that they are bonded. The fact that he feeds her is a sign of a strong pair. Also a Hen would not let just any male close to her nest site and eggs. There is a chance these eggs are fertile, I would recomment candling them to check. This is done with a strong flash light. You hold the egg close to the torch and look from fine red lines in the egg. Day five to six is the best to see this in budgie eggs.

I don't want to stress Cher out any more than I "have" to, so I haven't been able to get any pictures of the eggs in the log.

 

I also am very unsure about candling the eggs.

As you know, the log is only 3 inches around- I don't think I could get them out safely and put them back very well.

Unless maybe I use a bent spoon or something?

I would need to be pretty fast about it, right?

Is the five or six days from the first egg or the last egg?

 

I did take a quick peek again yesterday and counted four this time.

 

Here is a picture of their home.

You can barely see way up by the ceiling the little log hanging from the bracket.

You can also sort of see the "tree" behind the cage made out of pvc pipe and real sticks.

 

 

Thank you to all for your very helpful replies.

I feel like I've found some true mentors and friends.

I might not be back in for a while because of Christmas activities, but I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on any progress.

Edited December 22, 200618 yr by Sonny and Cher

I understand your worry about stressing her. It is always up to you and what you wish to do for the care of your birds, I only suggested it so you could have a bette pictures of what to expect in around 10 days.

 

As you realise eggs are laid every second day to candle them you need to candle for each egg when they are 5-6 days. For thoses that number the eggs it's easy to tell which one need checking.

 

If you don't wish to worry about the candling and simply wait and see make sure you will be able to get to they young or see the young to be able to check on them.

I didn't realize you had the log hung up already! They have a very nice little corner going on there. I also didn't realize you wanted them to breed. I think I would be a little nervous about taking out the eggs and putting them back in too...it looks like it would be very easy to have one fall out. As Nerwen said, eggs are laid on an every-other-day schedule. The first one usually hatches around day # 18, and they will hatch every other day in the order they were laid. Don't worry if they don't all hatch. There is a learning curve with budgie parents too, and they may not get everything right the first time around. I would mark on a calendar the dates the eggs were laid, so it is easy for you to see when they should hatch. Any that don't hatch by a week after the last egg should have hatched are safe to dispose of. It is not necessary to candle the eggs if you are not comfortable with it. You will know soon enough whether they mated (successfully) or not.

 

If they do hatch, I would suggest finding some way to deeply cushion the area below the log. In a breeding box, there is room for the babies to move around some. It is also an enclosed space. In that little log, I think as the babies are begging for food and pushing each other out of the way it would be very easy for one to be pushed out. A fall from that height would not be good for a baby a few days old. It doesn't take long before the babies are the same size (usually larger) than the parents are.

 

I hope all goes the way you want it to. :hap: Keep us posted!

I thought the log was inside the cage, but carry on and all the best of luck. :hap:

Me too Phoebe.

Your birds have a great "corner" set up there. Good luck with the eggs.

 

 

The last count of four eggs is still holding steady, several days later.

So I guess Cher is done laying.

 

It has now been about 12 days since the first egg was laid.

Maybe by new year there will be new baby?

 

I am still trying to decide if or when I should try to move the family into a bigger box.

My concern now is that while there may be enough room for quiet eggs,

there will not be enough room for moving chicks.

 

You think if any hatch, and I'm hoping some do, that I could move the chicks to a larger box?

If they cry for food, will Cher still go to them?

I am leaving this to the eggsperts.. but wanted to wish you luck on having a hatchling in about 6 days time

Well, here we are-

A new year and day 18 from when I found Cher's first egg.

Now we wait.

A quick peek last night showed no change- still 4 eggs.

Things seem quiet in there today, too.

:ygbudgie:

Both of my favorite football (American-style) teams won over the last two days-

(the Philadelphia Eagles, and Penn State)

so I think that's a good sign!

What if you could possibly move the log inside the cage somehwere. There maybe a possiblity that she would continue to take care of the eggs and there wont be a possible chance of a chick falling and dyine. You also may can wait untill one of the chicks hatch and them move the log into the cage, so that the hen will know where her egg's and the chick is inside her cage.

Cher's eggs are now one week "past due".

I'm a bit disappointed, but not surprised.

As I said in my first post, I didn't really think Cher had ever let Sonny close enough to mate.

 

But now my last question on the subject is this:

Cher is still sitting on her eggs-

I think I should take them away now so she can "be a free bird" again.

Do I just remove them- and the log she laid them in too?

 

Will having them just disappear traumatize Cher in any way?

I'm probably putting human emotions on to my little bird friend here,

but I don't want to do anything I shouldn't.

 

Thank you to all for all your great advice-

I actually felt ready for this event.

 

Maybe if it looks like Cher is nicer to Sonny after all this

I'll get her a "real" nest box sometime in the future, or maybe not.

 

Thanks again.

Sonny and Cher :ygbudgie: