okay as some of you know from previous posts I have a hen currently sitting with 5 eggs. At least 4 if not all of her eggs should have hatched by today but NOTHING.... . Her previous owner said she had a clutch of 8 eggs (with this same cock) and none of then hatched either.... So I'm thinking I don't want to go through this again with them. Do I try a new cock with her and or do I try a new hen with him?????????

They were both great with the whole process (doing everything they were suppose to), but the eggs have diaginal "1/2" lines in them (some with dark spots no movement or floating effect) in them and one of them has this "floatiness" about it, like a yolk or something? I'm almost 100% sure that none of these eggs are good especially cause they should have hatched by now, but also because my other hen's eggs you can see strong red viens or you can't even see through the egg anymore cause the baby is just about due. I don't know if they were fertile and die in early stages or what. Do I need to crack them open to tell if they were fertile? If they were what should I look for? If they were fertile but didn't develope, what might be the issue? Is is something with one of the birds themselves or the conditions or something I did wrong????

When it comes time for me to face that all the eggs are no good (I will wait the 21-30 days just in case), how and when do I remove them and the nest box? I do not want her to lay another clutch (at least not with this cock). When do I seperate them and introduce a new mate to whomever you think I should re-pair? I am sad to see this pair has gone through the stress of a clutch with NO results at all, but don't want to give up on both of them if there hope.... is two dud clutches two too many or should I let them try one more time?

Hey Chrissy,

 

The fact that she is laying eggs, means she is Fertile,

The fact that the eggs are clear means that he isn't AT THE MOMENT..

You can candle the eggs with a bright torch - Look for veins or the yolk to be A BRIGHT ORANGE HUE not the normal

yellow ...

 

I would keep her calcium levels up and try her again with another cock.

 

He may not be in Breeding condition - Or could be a dud.

 

To remove the nestbox I would simple take it out ... But See what the others say

Hey Chrissy,

 

The fact that she is laying eggs, means she is Fertile,

The fact that the eggs are clear means that he isn't AT THE MOMENT..

You can candle the eggs with a bright torch - Look for veins or the yolk to be A BRIGHT ORANGE HUE not the normal

yellow ...

 

I would keep her calcium levels up and try her again with another cock.

 

He may not be in Breeding condition - Or could be a dud.

 

To remove the nestbox I would simple take it out ... But See what the others say

 

 

I have candled all the eggs at this point and there are NO viens in any of them. All but one, look like they are clear on one half of the egg and "shadowed" on the other half, divided almost perfectly down the centers. This cock seemed to do everything right. He continued to mate with her between eggs, fed her, checked on her, sat with her in the box, etc..... ????? I hate to think it is him, he's one of the prettiest birds I have (and the only YF2). As for pairing her with another cock.... I don't have one right now. I have two mature hens but no mature males. The only male I have unpaired right now is too young (only a few months old).

Edited September 8, 200816 yr by chrissy0705

Hey Chrissy,

 

The fact that she is laying eggs, means she is Fertile,

The fact that the eggs are clear means that he isn't AT THE MOMENT..

You can candle the eggs with a bright torch - Look for veins or the yolk to be A BRIGHT ORANGE HUE not the normal

yellow ...

 

I would keep her calcium levels up and try her again with another cock.

 

He may not be in Breeding condition - Or could be a dud.

 

To remove the nestbox I would simple take it out ... But See what the others say

 

 

I have candled all the eggs at this point and there are NO viens in any of them. All but one, look like they are clear on one half of the egg and "shadowed" on the other half, divided almost perfectly down the centers. This cock seemed to do everything right. He continued to mate with her between eggs, fed her, checked on her, sat with her in the box, etc..... ????? I hate to think it is him, he's one of the prettiest birds I have (and the only YF2). As for pairing her with another cock.... I don't have one right now. I have two mature hens but no mature males. The only male I have unpaired right now is too young (only a few months old).

 

ALL BUT ONE EGG ARE INFERTLIE? so the one egg that is sounds like DIS? Remove the other eggs leave that other egg till Day 30 still not hatched remove and let them have another go ..

 

I had prince that after 2 rounds of 5 eggs per clutch were empty - 3 round 5 eggs all fertile all hatched and BEAUTIFUL

.... double check his Cere is should be a POWERFUL BRIGHT BLUE there is a FAQ's page that shows you the difference in Breeding conditions - you may have paired them a little too early or late

1 egg filled is a good sing

Hey Chrissy,

 

The fact that she is laying eggs, means she is Fertile,

The fact that the eggs are clear means that he isn't AT THE MOMENT..

You can candle the eggs with a bright torch - Look for veins or the yolk to be A BRIGHT ORANGE HUE not the normal

yellow ...

 

I would keep her calcium levels up and try her again with another cock.

 

He may not be in Breeding condition - Or could be a dud.

 

To remove the nestbox I would simple take it out ... But See what the others say

 

 

I have candled all the eggs at this point and there are NO viens in any of them. All but one, look like they are clear on one half of the egg and "shadowed" on the other half, divided almost perfectly down the centers. This cock seemed to do everything right. He continued to mate with her between eggs, fed her, checked on her, sat with her in the box, etc..... ????? I hate to think it is him, he's one of the prettiest birds I have (and the only YF2). As for pairing her with another cock.... I don't have one right now. I have two mature hens but no mature males. The only male I have unpaired right now is too young (only a few months old).

 

ALL BUT ONE EGG ARE INFERTLIE? so the one egg that is sounds like DIS? Remove the other eggs leave that other egg till Day 30 still not hatched remove and let them have another go ..

 

I had prince that after 2 rounds of 5 eggs per clutch were empty - 3 round 5 eggs all fertile all hatched and BEAUTIFUL

.... double check his Cere is should be a POWERFUL BRIGHT BLUE there is a FAQ's page that shows you the difference in Breeding conditions - you may have paired them a little too early or late

1 egg filled is a good sing

 

I will try this... The egg that you think is DIS was the first egg she laid (the only one I know which is which because of the shape of it) and it will be 30 days in a day or so. That was the only one I thought I knew for sure was not fertile because it never seemed to changed appearance. I think it is actually an egg with a yolk (just like you eat for breakfast). Never had viens or movement that I ever saw???? But if you think I should leave it, I will.

 

I think I will change their breeding cage though. I currently have them in a regular store bought cage on a table with a nest box wired to the side. I used this cage when I first pulled her out of the aviary for being aggressive. And then when I brought her mate out to her I added the box and just let them be. I am going to put them into one of the new breeding cages my husband and I made and see if they fair better in there. It's 48"lx24"dx16"h. They is room to fly around and two nest boxes to choose from and I know my cats and kids and other "distractions" won't bother them. Thanks so much. Oh and I just double checked his cere and its silky bright blue right now. So maybe they'll "try again".......

I would give them both a break for awhile first though, especially if the hen had laid eight eggs with previous owner and now these eggs and no result.

 

Are they fluffy feathered birds ? Did you clip the feathers around the vent area ?

Edited September 9, 200816 yr by KAZ

I would give them both a break for awhile first though, especially if the hen had laid eight eggs with previous owner and now these eggs and no result.

 

Are they fluffy feathered birds ? Did you clip the feathers around the vent area ?

 

 

They are not "fluffy". Do you mean clear the vent feathers to help assure fertilization???? I did not do that the last time nor did the previous owner. I got her from the previous owner in June of this year, but she didn't say how long ago her first clutch was laid. She just said they were both about 2 years old and had a clutch of 8 but they didn't make it?????? The only thing I can say that may be different about this pair of birds is that this female is the largest bird in my flock. She is a big bird, bigger than all my other hens and even bigger than all the cocks. Does her size play a roll in things, where the male can't properly reach her vent area?? But other than that they are not fluffy and I did not clip vent areas......

Could you post a picture of the birds ? Do either have a legring that would tell you there correct age ?

Could you post a picture of the birds ? Do either have a legring that would tell you there correct age ?

Give me a minute for the picture, I'll post it in a second. As for the leg ring, NO, neither on has a leg ring. She is recessive pied so no iris, but her cere is very milky tan and his is very silky deep blue and he has an iris. Here come the picture.

Could you post a picture of the birds ? Do either have a legring that would tell you there correct age ?

 

 

Here's a few pics I already had in my photobucket... if you need better ones it will have to be done tomorrow they are 'bedded" for the night already. Let me know if this helps at all.

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/dscn2828.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN3114.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN3098.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4213.jpg

Edited September 9, 200816 yr by chrissy0705

They dont look too old. If anything he looks young. Hen has some health issue indicated by her elongated beak. Can indicate Liver issues I think.

Are these birds clipped ? WINGS I mean ? Successful mating requires the cock bird to have full wings for balance in the mating act.

Edited September 9, 200816 yr by KAZ

She is definitely out of condition and needs a long rest (at least 3-6 months)

They both have cut flight feathers which could have caused issues with mating as the cock uses his wings for balance when on the hen

They dont look too old. If anything he looks young. Hen has some health issue indicated by her elongated beak. Can indicate Liver issues I think.

Are these birds clipped ? WINGS I mean ? Successful mating requires the cock bird to have full wings for balance in the mating act.

 

 

They were when I got them, but not anymore. They are growing back, if not almost all the way grown in now.... I won't clip them, especially during breeding. I know the one picture shows him clipped, but that was just as he was growing back in. Non of my flock get clipped but if they are clipped when I get them I let them grow in.

I would say to give this pair a rest of at least 3 to 4 weeks...some good food and condition. Try them again then. What type and size is the breeder cage ?

Edited September 9, 200816 yr by KAZ

Let me take recent pics of them both tomorrow and post them. These pics are from a few months ago when I first got them (besides the one in the nest box, that's from a week ago). You mentioned illness, liver, ?????? I thought her elongated beak was due to her previous owner not having proper stuff for her to file it down??? What is it that you think is wrong??? Can she die?

Edited September 9, 200816 yr by chrissy0705

Let me take recent pics of them both tomorrow and post them. These pics are from a few months ago when I first got them (besides the one in the nest box, that's from a week ago). You mentioned illness, liver, ?????? I thought her elongated beak was due to her previous owner not having proper stuff for her to file it down??? What is it that you think is wrong??? Can she die?

I am not a vet. Used to be a vet nurse but not any more. BUT beaks dont just grow out of proportion due only to things to file it down. Excessive growth can be due to other health issues. I have never had to work on any of my budgies beaks and I dont really give them things to file it down.

I would say to give this pair a rest of at least 3 to 4 weeks...some good food and condition. Try them again then. What type and size is the breeder cage ?

 

 

They are in a standard cage at 18"d x 21"h x 12"w with a nest box wired to the outside of the cage... BUT... I was telling Neat that if I tried them again that I would put them in the new breeding cages I just built that are 48"l x 24"d x 16" h.... with a choice of two nest boxes.

I must say, I do think your cage is too small ....so try the new cage, but rest them first.

I must say, I do think your cage is too small ....so try the new cage, but rest them first.

 

 

I will definately rest them first and move them to the larger cage, but if you are thinking that SHE may be ill, I don't know if I want to risk her life by breeding her again? Can anyone else comment or add to the concern of her elongated beak or possible liver issues as KAZ has pointed out? She seems healthy? Makes a lot of noise, eats well, gets around, etc.... she doesn't seem to show any other signs of being sick.

Agree rest the pair - Give her some fresh Branches for her beak Don't give the birds Hard wood toys or plastic ones to chew on -

( Kaz I know that you don't do anything for your birds beaks But you do offer them fresh branches and Wood Toys to chew)

 

Yes it can be a sign of liver disease but if she doesn't have any other symptoms I wouldn't worry about it. But if you are, speak to avian vet in your area

 

Rest good food and a larger cage like you said and I am sure once back in condition all will be well Good luck mate

Thank you to all on this.... I will be removing the eggs and getting them into a larger cage shortly. I will keep a close eye on her and see how things go. I will update you all as things happen. Thank you again.

okay, well all the eggs were bad.... no babies!

I opened them all and some were just wet yolky eggs and others were hard carmelized balls....

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4732.jpg

 

I've also removed Sunny and Raine from the old cage and put them in their new accomodations... I have covered over the nest box openings and will let them take a break in their new cage for a month or so before trying again.

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4735.jpg

 

http://i337.photobucket.com/albums/n400/ch...5a/DSCN4744.jpg

 

 

Although I am sad not to have gotten babies, I am thankful to all who helped me through this experience. So thank you all.

Better luck next time

 

PS it happens to even the seasoned breeders.

I'm really sorry they were all infertile. Better luck next time... and as Kaz said, it happens to the best of them. A good rest, great diet and they should hopefully do better next time

Can you believe this.... as I just told you all I got Sunny and Raine set up in their new cage to let them "rest" for a bit after the clutch of 5 eggs proved to be infertile. As I told you I have blocked off the openings to the nesting boxes (two boxes perminately mounted to the right side of each of the 4 breeding stations)... and Sunny (the hen) has been sitting outside the nest box since I put her in there and since this afternoon has been franticly bitting and scraping at the material covering the hole. Should I allow this? Will she become disinterested or will she keep it up until she is able to go in there? Please help. I don't know if I sould just let her do what she wants or force her to take a break.

With infertile eggs it can be the fault of either male or female. If a hen is producing infertile eggs I always suspect the male first, but I have had females that produce batch after batch & even paired with proven males they fail, so eventually you often have to accept that they are no good for breeding. Especially if your hen has a longer than normal beak it could be her. Seeing that you have two other mature females if I were you I would be putting the male with one of them & see how he goes. Then you at least might find out if it's his fault.

I would give her a break & do what I suggested with another hen. Separate her in a cage without a nest & give her a rest.

Edited September 10, 200816 yr by Norm