Blessed events!

[Betrisher]

Two of our pairs have nested and laid eggs. One pair (Periwinkle and Mango) have six eggs and Tarquin and Marigold are sitting, but I couldn't get my dentist's mirror in to count the clutch.

Last year, Pez and Mango laid two clutches of eight eggs each. All were infertile. I don't want Mango laying and laying without producing any chicks, so is there a way to tell if the eggs are fertile or not? Once these clutches hatch (or otherwise), how do I prevent the birds from breeding again? Must I separate the sexes or is it as simple as removing the nest boxes and *&%#@%* snuggle beds?

I hadn't planned on allowing the lovies to breed, only I gave them *&%#@%* snuggle beds for the winter and they nested in those! Now, I've had to put in proper nest boxes so a disaster doesn't happen.

Oh and also, how long should I wait before removing the eggs if they don't hatch? Of course I'll keep any offspring that result, but I don't want to be a breeder, just a happy owner. Hope someone's got some answers for me - I'm worried about my little guys!

 

[Fersie]

Yes there is a way to tell if the eggs are fertile or not. u can candle the eggs to check if the egg is fertile or not. and eggs should hatch within 21-24 days (i think) from the day that ur bird starts sitting on eggs. if u don't want ur birds to breed u should remove the nestbox

 

[Betrisher]

Oh thank you for that! I feel so stupid for the whole mess happening in the first place. If I hadn't put he *^#$^* snuggle beds in the cage, this wouldn't be happening. As it is we have eight eggs in one nest and seven in the other. While I'm nervous at the thought of raising maybe fifteen babies, I don't want my little hens to have laid for nothing. Wouldn't it be nice if they hatched just one baby each? We'll see. I have no idea when the eggs were laid, but I'm thinking about two weeks ago.

Now, here's the burning question. My lovies are not tame. If I handle their eggs, will that jeopardise their desire to sit on them?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh WOW, I see contrats are in order. That's a WHOLE lotta eggs.

I wouldn't take all the eggs out at once to candle them, just a few at a time, so you don't freak them out too much. Perhaps you could mark them somehow?

Best of luck, I hope they are fertile.