The past couple days I noticed my budgies going in and out of the nest box a little more. So last night I watched them pretty close, and it seemed my female has gotten a little bigger, I'm not to sure if that means much. I saw my male a lot of times sitting of the perch outside of the nestbox, while the female was inside.

 

Now my budgies have these two toys they sleep on every night. Under where my female slept, I noticed there were some pretty large droppings. Do you think she may lay her eggs within the next couple days?

Large droppings are an indicator that eggs are due soon. The female budgie does not get larger as it doesnt quite work like a pregnancy in humans...she does NOT have a tummy full of eggs for instance. You will see an egg sized lump near her bottom within a day or so of laying an egg, though.

Edited December 10, 200717 yr by KAZ

Yeah thats what I thought. Since she started having large droppings last night, could I maybe expect an egg in maybe 2 days?And if so would that mean I would see the large egg sized lump tomorrow?

Yeah thats what I thought. Since she started having large droppings last night, could I maybe expect an egg in maybe 2 days?And if so would that mean I would see the large egg sized lump tomorrow?

Most likely. But when you see the lump it means an egg within a day or two.

Is the lump real noticeable?By any chance you wouldnt have a picture, do you?

Is the lump real noticeable?By any chance you wouldnt have a picture, do you?

YES the lump is very noticable. Sorry, I dont have a picture, but I will try and take one, as it is often asked about

okay thanks sounds good.

I'll try to get a picture of it as well as mine are laying currently as well if I can. I did find it to be noticable as well now that I've seen it on my hens. And as Kaz said, sounds like you'll have eggs soon!

Just an update for today, I havent seen a large lump yet on the hen.Oh and if I dont see the lump tomorrow or the next day, then I can assume she wont be laying soon?

Edited December 11, 200717 yr by hops523

The lump isn't always that visible and to they untrained eye it can be almost non-existant.

Just an update for today, I havent seen a large lump yet on the hen.Oh and if I dont see the lump tomorrow or the next day, then I can assume she wont be laying soon?

The lump will be under the hen not on the hen

Do try and relax about the egg thing. It will happen. Ever heard the saying " A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS" ? Your anxiety may transfer onto the birds. Just wait and watch.

Yeah right where the vent is correct? Haha yeah I know what you mean. But the main reason why I'm trying to figure out when she lays is so I can be there just to make sure nothing bad happens to her.

Yeah right where the vent is correct? Haha yeah I know what you mean. But the main reason why I'm trying to figure out when she lays is so I can be there just to make sure nothing bad happens to her.

Chances are you wont be there as budgies like their privacy and they surprise us most when we least expect it and our backs are turned

An eggbound hen is generally a result of a hen too young or too old, so as long as you have that part right you should be fine.

Also eggbinding shows symptoms well ahead of the more serious complications, so being aware will give you time for emergency measures if it occurs.

by the way, I did get a photo last night of two of my hens with "egg bum" aka the egg lump near the vent as they are about to lay sometime this morning. I'll post a photo for you when I get home.

okay thanks for the info. and ravengypsy a picture would be great

here is the pics of my hen's vent area before she layed.. you can see how big her vent area has grown.

 

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x271/ra...2008/eggbum.jpg

Edited December 16, 200717 yr by Ravengypsy

Oh oh I can see the difference. Thank you so much for the picture

glad to help.. I didn't know it either till I saw it in person then it seemed easy to recognize after that

My budgie has a very noticeable vent.  Was worried maybe impacted...about4 days now,  but eating, chirping etc,  doesn't look sick but can pant a lot at times.

How long can she be "pregnant" before actually laying?