I'm gutted, I went to the aviary as i do numerous times everyday, and over night one of my hens has had two eggs, but both were smashed one on the ledge and one on the floor i think it is Donkey, as all my other hens have got eggs in their boxes and they are with them the whole time, i counted their eggs and there is still 11 as there was last night, and i am hoping for more today as they still look to have the egg shaped backends, Donkey is my only hen that hasnt laid yet, although she is doing all the right business to get some, and is also in and out the nest box herself, and both eggs, were below her box, but slightly to the side, as if she had laid them on the ledge (she is always sitting on this certain ledge) and one had rolled off and cracked? possibly? is this normal? although i dont know her exact age, as she was shop bought, she no longer has her baby rings and her cere is all crusty etc. but she is quite a small bird though in comparison to all my other birds, well shes short, but round, could this be a porblem? Below are photos of Donkey and her mate Randall, I would be grateful of any ideas please, I am absolutely gutted.

Many thanks in advance

Dawn

Although Gypsy had been in and out of the nest box, her first 2 were laid in the cage. Might be just something they do. I put one of the eggs in the box, and then she started laying in there. Can you use someone else's egg? A marble? Put it in the box and see how she goes.

  Can you use someone else's egg?  A marble?  Put it in the box and see how she goes.

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Thx for that Lin, I will buy one of those pretend egg things, i cant understand it, shes in the nest box as we speak, she goes in for upto about an hour each time then comes out and goes to her ledge, where randall stays with her feeding her and stuff. how are your eggs doing by the way Lin?

Well, she's still in there. This morning there was what looks like the inside of the egg all smashed on the floor, but no shell. I've got grit in the cage (don't yell at me those that don't believe in it! (Laughing out loud)) but this isn't the first time I've suspected that one of them has eaten the shell off of one of their own eggs. I lost my torch (found now) for 2 days (darn kids). Rather than disturb her too much, I've been using the torch through the hole when she comes out, so it's been hard to check. I just put some millet in, hoping she will come out so I can check.

 

On a rather bad note, I have just been asked for advice on breeding by the person I got Gypsy off. She was a rescue bird, very nervous, very vicious, and as we all know, still hates people. Upon asking how old the birds were (one's a violet - so jealous!) I got told no idea, but just got them. Damn! How much can I really say (I was pretty brutal), because if the worst comes to the worst, I would rather they gave me more traumatised birds than wring their necks (which is what was going to happen to Gypsy).

 

Good luck with your eggs, Dawn, I want pictures!

why on earth do people bother getting pets if they cant love and respect them, they are so defenseless, gosh it makes me so angry.

We got a violet coloured budgie a couple of weeks ago, he is stunning too. Still in quarantine at the minute, but cant wait to get him into the avairy, to show meet his new housemates

Oh, that is beautiful! Someone has told me about some more budgies that need rescueing, and I was told there is a 'purple' one. Whether that is a violet, or just a dark blue, not sure. Sometimes it can take a while to convince poor owners to give up their birds, despite the fact that they have asked if anyone knows who wants them! I'll work on it, I hate to hear of birds being neglected.

Aww what a cutie he is....but it might be a bad idea to add to the flock while they are nesting. Not at all sure but I can jut picture fights happening.

 

As to the egg laying of Donkey which was the start of this thread I wouldn't worry too much about it, the adding fake ones is great it might tell her that this is the place they need to go.

 

Freckle laid about 6 outside the box before getting the hint when I added the only one found not boken in the box. (which she kicked out later.)

Thanks for that Nerwen, Marti isnt due to go in the aviary for another couple of weeks, but i will take your advise and keep him out longer if they are still laying, he seems happy enough anyway bless him.

As i said i was gutted with the eggs, my father came and said I had to toughen up because this happens sometimes, but I dont know if it is because they are my first clutch or wether its because im female but it really upset me I am going to invest in one of those pretend eggs though and see how she goes, I'll keep you posted

Thanks again Love Dawn

There's bound to be failures when you breed. I've been breeding finches for years, and I still get upset when I find their eggs don't hatch, or they kick a baby out of the nest too soon, or whatever. Why harden up? We love our feathered friends, I don't see anything wrong with showing it.

although i dont know her exact age, as she was shop bought, she no longer has her baby rings and her cere is all crusty etc.

 

Dawn[/color]

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Hi Dawn, Sorry to hear about the eggs! But just some questions.

You say her baby lines have gone, did you have her with her baby lines? ..How long have you had her?

She may still be to young to breed and this could cause her to become egg bound when she is old enough to breed. you should wait till your birds are over 1 year old to breed them.

 

Also I would agree with nerwen about your new bird don't put him with the others while they are breeding. This may cause alot of fighting amoung your other birds.

Good luck dawn and keep us posted.

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You say her baby lines have gone, did you have her with her baby lines? ..How long have you had her?

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Hiya Lady, no she didnt have any baby lines when we got her, and when i chose her in the petshop, the girl did say oh im glad someone has taken her cos she always gets left behind, i couldnt understand why because she looked healthy enough, but just small, her cere was crusty when we got her too.

Hey I'm male and get upset when things go wrong so it's definately not because your female.

Hey I'm male and get upset when things go wrong so it's definately not because your female.

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well you sound like one of 'the good guys' Mr c