I was at the pet store today, and saw two beautiful normal green budgies (paired) that the hen had laid an egg in the floor of the cage and was sitting on it. The **** was feeding her, and there were about 8 other birds in there with them. They seemed fine, and the other birds weren't bothering them (yet). He was feeding her, and going over to the seed and eating, then feeding her some more. She would leave the egg while he was eating (but not going far) and begging more food. Then they would both lightly beak the egg and she would sit on it again. It was so touching. I'm sure their odds of raising any young in this situation are slim to none. So I started thinking - what if someone bought one of them and not the other, how would that affect them? Would anyone have bought them so they could stay together?

OMG I woud have told the staff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I guess if they where split then the bond would be broken and if the hen was left she would give up on the egg.

I was back in the pet store tonight, and the same hen was sitting on yet another egg... There was a **** who fed her once, but he was also chasing other hens around so I'm not sure if he was her mate or not. I asked how many eggs she had laid and they didn't know. I thought budgies were determinate egg layers (unlike cockatiels who are indeterminate egg layers - they will keep laying if you take the eggs away until they are exhausted)...could she be on her second round already since the eggs are taken away? Anyway, I asked them if she laid another to seperate her and the male from the other birds, as she was very stressed.

I want to get my hands on this pet store owner, hiring people that don't seem to care.

 

The bird little girls, yes budgies continuity lay eggs if they are taken away and so they lose calcium in the body.

 

and it seems the male wished to case the other ladies in there instead of caring for one.

Well, I'm going to stop back in today and tomorrow to see if she is still laying. If she is, I will have to give them another lesson in budgie care. I don't think it's intentional, I think they just don't realize how draining it is to her.