My hen is now sitting on an egg in the nesting box, and I'm worried she needs the father to feed her and care for her.

 

About 2 days ago, she completely lost her mind, and almost killed him. She chased him around the cage repeatedly, and kept attacking him, and pinning him to the floor. I placed him in a separate cage, and ever since, he's kept his head buried in his back like sick birds do. I know he's been eating and drinking, and today, he seems to have been feeling slightly better, because he's starting to move around, preen, and sing a little.

 

Anyway, right after I separated the two birds, the hen laid a second egg, and started sitting on it. I saw her come out a little while ago. She ate a little, and went straight back into the box. I want to place the male back in the cage with her, but I want to let him completely heal first, and I don't want her to try to kill him again. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?

Edited May 7, 200718 yr by mirror saw

Leave him out of the cage. She will just try to hurt him again. The hen will look after herself just fine. However I recommend not breeding from her again.

When did you pair these two togeather? Is this the sire of the eggs or are you unsure of the cock?

 

Are you colony breeding or closed breeding?

definatly dont put him back in there or chances are the hen will attempt to kill him again...and i reckon the hen should be able to care for herself and the little ones without a male in there.

Thank you, everyone. Good news: the cock is now fully healed, and feeling better.

 

Daz, I am 100% sure the cock is the father, since these are the only two I own, and since I saw them mating (still a little traumatized from it).

 

The pregnancy was admittedly unplanned, as they'd mated without a nesting box present. The hen actually laid a few eggs on the cage floor, and I removed them. I put in a nesting box before she was done laying, because I didn't have the heart to throw away anymore eggs.

 

When I set up the box, she investigated it, and threw almost all of the bedding out. However, she still laid an egg on the cage floor. She started attacking the cock, and in the midst of a fight, they cracked the shell. Later, after I separated them, she laid the last egg on the floor. I put on some gloves, placed it in the nesting box, and she started sitting on it.

Edited May 8, 200718 yr by mirror saw

Thank you, everyone. Good news: the cock is now fully healed, and feeling better.

 

Daz, I am 100% sure the cock is the father, since these are the only two I own, and since I saw them mating (still a little traumatized from it).

 

The pregnancy was admittedly unplanned, as they'd mated without a nesting box present. Birds will mate with or without a nesting box present. Its just recreational sex to them and doesnt automatically lead to making eggs. Most of them wont move onto the egglaying stage unless they feel they have somewhere to lay eggs

 

The hen actually laid a few eggs on the cage floor, and I removed them. I put in a nesting box before she was done laying, because I didn't have the heart to throw away anymore eggs.

 

When I set up the box, she investigated it, and threw almost all of the bedding out. However, she still laid an egg on the cage floor. She started attacking the cock, and in the midst of a fight, they cracked the shell.

 

It sounds like the hen chose a "nesting site" and was protecting it. As the nesting site was "vulnerable" she felt more anxious and determined to protect it from all-comers. The place she chose to "nest" is more likely why she felt anxious and hormonal and attacked the cock.

 

Later, after I separated them, she laid the last egg on the floor. I put on some gloves, placed it in the nesting box, and she started sitting on it.