Hello to all,

 

I am a proud owner of breeding budgies that are waiting on their 2nd clutch to hatch.

 

Their 1st clutch are healthy and strong and living in a different cage from mom and dad. I seperated them a bit early from their parents at around 5 weeks of age. Sadly, they had to learn how to eat on their own as daddy refused to feed them, although they still stayed with mom in her nesting box when they were altogether.

 

I didn't have time to remove the nesting box to give mom a break when she started laying her next clutch. I knew the kids had to go as somehow one of the eggs were punctured, not sure from who but their certainly wasn't any room for all them in the nesting box.

 

What I am concerned about is that mommy normally only lays 1 egg every second day, totalling 5 eggs in each clutch. With this 2nd clutch she has laid 9 eggs in total (sitting only on 6 eggs). I'm afraid her body won't handle such an experience. I have noticed that when she lays her egg in her nesting box, she soils her egg at the same time. Although, with this concern, her body still wants to produce more eggs. Why?

 

I haven't read anything like this as a normal experience for a mommy budgie. I am very concerned for her! What should I do?

 

I was debating on taking my macho male out but I know he has to feed her while she keeps her babies warm. Every time she comes out to breath, have a stretch, take a sip of water or goes to the bathroom, my macho male dominates her as quickly as she gets out.

What a male!

 

Although, with the joking aside, I don't know what to do? Please help me and my baby mama!

 

Concerned feather grandma,

Yuli

Budgies can lay up to 12+ eggs in each clutch, depanding on size, maturity, type (club or pet) and other things... So I would not be concerned at the number of eggs she has...

 

When you say only sitting on 6 out of 9 are the other 3 next to her or at another end of the nesting box...? If at the other end try moving them with the others eggs to keep warm (pick them up and place them the same way as to how they were laying before, dont roll them)... If next to mum she may not be able to sit on all of them at one time, in that case those at are not keep warm will not develop a chick in them... but leave them in there as they will help keep any chicks that do hatch warm...

 

I sure others can help aswell...

Suggest you candle the eggs to see how many of the nine are actually fertile.

I wouldn't worry about her at this stage, some birds lay large clutches... How many times have you bred with her? Have you always used the same male? I doubt all the eggs will be good as I think she would find it hard to keep them all warm, if you had another pair breeding you could foster out those eggs... Hope it all goes well, keep us posted.

Thank you to all who has posted to help me with my baby mama. I am very grateful for this site.

 

To explain alittle bit about Lilo...

 

Lilo is 2 years old. She was bred a year ago only for 1 clutch as I am still a beginner at breeding. She laid 5 eggs then but only 3 were fertile, (at least, I thought 3 were fertile). I removed the 2 eggs that looked empty. I realize now that I should have waited until I knew for sure that they were infertile. Her first clutch (this time) had eggs of that nature and then ended up having chicks. So, that was definately my mistake.

 

With her 2nd clutch (now) she is sitting on 6 eggs. She laid 2 eggs outside the nestbox and caused them to break on impact. Another egg was punctured. I wasn't able to save it as it was punctured through the egg. So, she laid 6 eggs properly in her nestbox.

 

Now that I know she can lay up to 12 eggs, I definately would be concerned about her caring for them all. I do not have another pair at this time to foster some of her eggs. I did at one time but decided to reduce my feather family. Once again, another big mistake.

 

All her eggs look fertile as of today, so she will be busy. I have seen on the internet, how one can take care of chicks on their own without feather mama. I might have to consider that option if Lilo can't handle feeding her chicks. Her only male is extremly helpful but until what extent? Any ideas anyone?

Just make sure she has plenty of food and water everyday... Hopeful the male will help her out... Even put millet in her nesting box to so she can eat while in there...

 

And be careful that the older chicks don't squash or hog all the food too... I wish you the best of luck and don't be scared to ask questions we are here to help... :rip: