Conference 7.286::pet_birds

548.0. "I need some advice!" by WMOIS::RICHARD_J () Fri May 10 1991 16:13

    I need some help! I have a breeding  pair of Cockatiels that 
    won't quit.  The female is constantly laying eggs.  This is
    her fourth time in less than a year.  Two months ago she layed
    10 eggs.  None were fertile.  The male is now in his own
    bachelor apartment and she layed another egg on the bottom of
    her cage last night while I was watching her.  (I guess I sent
    him out on his own too late.)  I don't have any idea how to 
    stop this.  I've taken the breeding box away and at different
    times I've tried removing the first couple of eggs to discourage
    her, but no luck.  I'm afraid she'll get egg-bound with all this
    activity. Does anyone out there have any ideas?  Out of ALL these
    eggs I managed to save one baby from the very first clutch last
    July. She's a joy!  She's so tame.  She follows me around the house
    like a little puppy.  Her parents were abusive and I had to hand
    feed her.  
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jeannie

    I offer my sympathy.  My parakeet went on an egg-laying spree
    while I was away at college (may years ago).  My mother had to
    call and tell me that the bird died after laying 13 eggs in a 
    week.
    
    I hope you can find a way to stop her.
    
    Linda
    

    Other than hormones or a hysterectomy (rather extreme), the only
    natural way to cut down on this activity that I know about is to
    reduce the number of hours of light.  Birds breed in the spring 
    when the days get longer.  This is less scientific than my first
    two suggestions, and less effective, but may work (we hope).
    
    Good luck
    
    Pat

    Is there a nestbox there ?  Is lots of nest-building material 
    available ?  What's the ambient temperature ?
    
    I wonder if altering the environment to a less nest-friendly
    arrangement would work ?
    
    Jim