First of all I am not a breeder. Two and a half years ago we bought two baby budgies (one male and one female). Last year in June we found an egg at the bottom of the cage. Immediately I went out and bought a nesting box from a pet shop. Straight away the female entered and layed 5 more eggs. She sat on them for over 30 days (I know too long but didn't have the heart to remove them). She only came out to eat (even though the male stayed inside with her a lot too). I finally removed the eggs and the box. A few weeks later again she layed an egg at the bottom of the cage and again I returned the box. Again she layed around 6 eggs and sat and sat with no hatching. This process happened one more time before I decided to remove the male assuming he was the problem and so she wouldn't lay any more eggs unneccessarily. Boy, was I wrong.? She has been laying almost continuously for the last couple of months (with no male in the cage). I kept taking the eggs out. Recently she has laid two and is sitting on them now in the corner of the cage. What am I supposed to do? I know they are not fertile and she is sitting on them. I have read that they can lay eggs like chickens regardless of whether or not they had been bred with. But now that she is laying on the eggs I am really worried. I do feel so sorry for her. Should I get her another male so that perhaps she can breed. Or do you think she is the problem breeder and not our male? I am waiting for some advice as I really feel sorry for her.

All this egg laying will be depleting her calcium levels and put her health at risk, so I would not give her a husband or allow it to continue. You need to break the cycle. She most likely needs to go see a vet. But also......change her cage around for distraction therapy right now.

Removing eggs as she lays them will just make her want to keep replacing the ones you remove too.

She needs a calcium replacement...like Calcivet in her water right now and most likely injections from the avian vet for her hormonal behaviour.

Sorry you have had such problems

Edited February 14, 200817 yr by KAZ

All this egg laying will be depleting her calcium levels and put her health at risk, so I would not give her a husband or allow it to continue. You need to break the cycle. She most likely needs to go see a vet. But also......change her cage around for distraction therapy right now.

Removing eggs as she lays them will just make her want to keep replacing the ones you remove too.

She needs a calcium replacement...like Calcivet in her water right now and most likely injections from the avian vet for her hormonal behaviour.

Sorry you have had such problems

 

Thank you so much. I made a mistake in her age too. Both the budgies are only one and a half years old, not two and a half. I will change her cage straight away and will get her Calcivet. I will try to get onto a vet too. Do you know why this cycle could have started in the first place and why she didn't have any fertilized egg? Would it be from her or him? Thank you again.

Jenny5, l noticed this is your first post.

l would like to say Hi to you and welcome to the forums.

unfortunately l'm unable to give you any advice on this, l have no experience in breeding.

Edited February 14, 200817 yr by birdluv
sp error.

Hello and welcome. I'm sorry you're having issues with breeding. I agree with Kaz thus far. As to why a cycle like this starts, I'm not sure. As to who is the problem, it could be the male or female (i.e. one or the other may not be able to produce/fertilze eggs)... or the eggs may not have been fertilized. By this I mean just because they mated, doesn't mean the eggs were fertilized. Sometimes things can seem like they're happening when they're not. If they are first time breeders, they may not be real sure about what the have to 'do'... just a thought. Good luck!

:ygbudgie: I too, have had problems with egg layers, with or without males in both tiels and budgies. First of all, nest box is a nono, and as has been suggested to me, less light, etc. Try covering them more for a few days (maybe a separate room) and less stimulation, and less seed but more veggies, etc.,good luck! :ygbudgie: And yes, get some more calcium happening.

Hello and welcome. I'm sorry you're having issues with breeding. I agree with Kaz thus far. As to why a cycle like this starts, I'm not sure. As to who is the problem, it could be the male or female (i.e. one or the other may not be able to produce/fertilze eggs)... or the eggs may not have been fertilized. By this I mean just because they mated, doesn't mean the eggs were fertilized. Sometimes things can seem like they're happening when they're not. If they are first time breeders, they may not be real sure about what the have to 'do'... just a thought. Good luck!

 

 

Thanks for your responses. I moved her into a different cage yesterday and will be getting the calcium tomorrow. I hope she stops laying, as before I moved her she had laid another 2 eggs and was sitting on all four. She really does need a rest.

Thanks for your responses. I moved her into a different cage yesterday and will be getting the calcium tomorrow. I hope she stops laying, as before I moved her she had laid another 2 eggs and was sitting on all four. She really does need a rest.

 

I hope so too. You have been given good advice, so fingers crossed for you and your hen. I had a hen who had problems laying (she was about 2 1/2 years old). She became egg bound and then destroyed her eggs. With a lot of TLC and an avian vet near by, she pulled through. The advice I received from this forum was fantastic. I removed her nest box and I think she laid another 3-4 eggs (which dropped on the ground) and she hasn't had any problems since, nor laid any more eggs. I hope your experience ends the way mine did! Be sure to give her lots of vegies and keep her busy (new toys/foraging toys) Good Luck!