Hi there! I just bought a pair of breeding budgies this weekend. I'm SO happy with them.

 

The owner told me that she had 3 clutches so far this year...... 1 with 9 eggs (though they only took care of 6 eggs), then 6 eggs, then 2 eggs. He mentioned that if I didn't want her to have anymore babies, just take out the nest.

 

So, I've done TONS of reading since the weekend, and quickly realized that all these clutches are bad! I feel HORRIBLE. And the worst part is I'm almost 100% certain she's pregnant right now.

 

Will she surely die from this? How do I know if she is actually pregnant? I know all around her underneath and backside is skin (if that makes sense), she also seems to be plucking at the surrounding feathers. If I took the nest box away right now would that be harmful? If she is pregnant - will the trauma from moving and meeting new people harm her pregnancy? Am I being foolish? lol

 

Any advice on the actual pregnancy and what I could expect/look out for would be REALLY appreciative. I've already read the post on binding so I'll know what to look out for regarding that.

 

Thanks for all your help in advance!

 

Mlinzi

Hi and welcome

 

First thing to say is

 

 

Bird do not have PREGNANCIES ..........they dont get pregnant, they dont carry eggs in their body. They form one egg at a time, mostly only if they have a nestbox and all conditions are right for them.

 

Signs of mating does not automatically means eggs and babies.

 

She must not have another clutch right now. Three is one clutch too many, and she needs to settle into her new home.

 

Make sure you have no nestboxes and nothing she can see as a nestbox.

 

okay..........edit.....

 

You already have a nestbox. Bad move if she has already had three clutches.

 

New advice. Remove her to a seperate cage from the male........no nestbox, and allow her to stop her egglaying cycle. she will drop an egg or two from the perch but she will stop.

 

How old is she ?

Edited October 1, 201014 yr by KAZ

So I was being foolish lol

 

 

okay, thanks for this information for sure. I will remove the nestbox.

 

Do you know why her underside is big and featherless? Sorry for my naivity - I really thought she was carrying around an egg! lol

 

Mlinzi

 

EDIT**

 

Thanks for the additional tips. She is 2. I will remove her into the other cage and get rid of the nest box.

Edited October 1, 201014 yr by mlinzi

She may well be carrying an egg, because you had a nestbox in for her. BUT it would be a really good idea to stop her and to let her settle into the new home and rest for around 6 months ...more maybe.

 

Great advice Kaz. Not trying to be harsh or critical, but I don't get why so many people have nest boxes (for no apparent reason?) then freak out about eggs being laid or getting 'unexpected' clutches. This isnt directed specifically at you MLINZI, it's something we see on many forums. I still don't get why people give their birds nest boxes and say they arent trying to breed or freak out when the birds do!

 

Take away the nest box, the hen should be fine even if she has to lay one or two eggs before stopping, she'll lay them off the perch, they'll break and she'll go on with life Just make sure to offer her good seed, vegetables, cuttle fish/mineral/iodine etc and all the other good stuff yada yada :rofl:

Thanks for the advice Dean and Kaz, I really appreciate it.

 

Do either of you know why she keeps plucking her feathers by her vent? She is doing this almost constantly and I feel awful for her. She isn't acting strange except that she plucks these feathers and fluffs herself up and stands on 1 leg. I'm worried that she's hurting.

 

Do either of you know how long it takes for the egg to form?

 

I feel so horrible for this little bird. I'm glad I got her when I did - who knows how many times her old owner would have let her breed!

 

Thanks again in advance.

 

Edit: I removed the nest box. and Dean, don't worry - I didnt' take it directed towards me as this doesn't pertain to me.

Edited October 1, 201014 yr by mlinzi

It may also pay to treat her with ivermectin in case she has feather mites or other mites if you are worried about her plucking scratching/nibbling herself too much.

 

It takes an egg about 2 days total from ovulation through the various layers developing till its laid.

I feel so horrible for this little bird. I'm glad I got her when I did - who knows how many times her old owner would have let her breed!

 

Thanks again in advance.

 

 

Another good reason to stop her now

I agree with Kaz -

Alright thanks for that. She is really a wonderful bird, and I hope no harm comes to her from being taken advantage of by her prior owner. I think for the next few days, I'm going to totally leave them alone and let them get comfortable and happy here. I read that she could be under stress too. So, I'll leave them be besides saying some happy things to them while I clean their cage/fresh food and water, and see if I don't see an improvement in her. She's really beautiful and I hope to have her for a long time!!

I feel so horrible for this little bird. I'm glad I got her when I did - who knows how many times her old owner would have let her breed! Thanks again in advance.

Another good reason to stop her now

Yea I don't think I'll let her have any more babies. I certainly didn't "buy" her because she could. Her owner was getting rid of the pair and they were so beautiful I was more than happy to take them off his hands. If what he said was true - her having 17 eggs in 1 year - then that's too much already. Like I said, I'm going to leave them be for awhile, and then let them focus on some fun things instead of raising babies!

Hi, just a couple of thoughts, maybe she's bare underneath from the constant incubating etc. If she's plucking at her feathers, is she actually pulling them out? She has an oil gland above her tail they use for preening could this be what she's doing?

 

Also I think I read that a sick bird will not stand on one leg (others can correct if this is wrong) so if she's doing that a lot she may just wants a good break from motherhood as other's have said.

Good luck with them and keep reading while they recover.

Hi Mlinzi,

I don't have any advice as my experience is minimal compared to others on here, but you are to be applauded for researching all that you did, and recognising that something wasn't right and acting upon it immediately. You definitely have the bird's best interests at heart. Well done. I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy your new budgies, they are an absolute delight to have around.

Robyn

Hi Mlinzi,

I don't have any advice as my experience is minimal compared to others on here, but you are to be applauded for researching all that you did, and recognising that something wasn't right and acting upon it immediately. You definitely have the bird's best interests at heart. Well done. I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy your new budgies, they are an absolute delight to have around.

Robyn

Totally agree

I agree with Kaz -