Posted February 11, 200520 yr I have a hen who has 2 chicks that have just left the nest box,but one day after the last one came out she layed another egg and then another. Should she be laying again so soon?.
February 12, 200520 yr She is "recycling". Yes this is common - even normal. A second clutch to follow the first. I'm sure the chicks were pushed from the nest (you may even have seen some aggression to drive them off) - again so the parents can use the nest again. The timing is caused by the hen being on the correct spot on her cycle again and needing the nest. Depending on how many clutches they have had - you may wish to withdraw the nest to stop them. Two clutches a year is usually enough but they will breed till they die if you are not careful. Funnily enough they die of malnutrition from regurgitating to keep up with the hungry young - at the cost of their bodies absorbing food for themselves - and not from exhaustion from mating, and producing eggs which is - a relatively - low load on their bodies for a well fed healthy pair.
February 12, 200520 yr wow you were lucky, it sound like she atarted this next clutch late some start laying when the young are still a week or so away from coming out of the box But as graemesmith has stated all is normal.
February 12, 200520 yr She is "recycling". Yes this is common - even normal. A second clutch to follow the first. I'm sure the chicks were pushed from the nest (you may even have seen some aggression to drive them off) - again so the parents can use the nest again. The timing is caused by the hen being on the correct spot on her cycle again and needing the nest. Depending on how many clutches they have had - you may wish to withdraw the nest to stop them. Two clutches a year is usually enough but they will breed till they die if you are not careful. Funnily enough they die of malnutrition from regurgitating to keep up with the hungry young - at the cost of their bodies absorbing food for themselves - and not from exhaustion from mating, and producing eggs which is - a relatively - low load on their bodies for a well fed healthy pair. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thank you graemesmith,You have set my mind at ease.All the best,Harry.o0.
February 12, 200520 yr Hey i never knew that thanks my budgie pair did 3 clutches this year! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Lucky you Imotive.Cheers,Harry.o0.
February 12, 200520 yr wow you were lucky, it sound like she atarted this next clutch late some start laying when the young are still a week or so away from coming out of the box But as graemesmith has stated all is normal. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Thanks for your intrest nerwen,Cheers,Harry.o0.
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