Macaw laying eggs

[Tatiana]

Hello everyone!
I wrote recently about the attacks that our new macaw gives to me.
Well now it is a new story with her. (though the attacks didnt stop no matter how hard i try to be friends with her she just likes to be with my husband..though I dont give up)

She started to lay eggs recently. Today I encountered the second egg in her cage (that is broken). She seems to be excited and puts her tail up like she wants to lay another egg again.
I need to stop it since I know that it is not healthy for her at all.
We try to give her more sleep that needed, remove all of the stimulates that can cause that kind of behavior.
Only one thing I have noticed that when she is around my husband right away she gets excited. Yesterday she was making moves like she is feeding her little birds when she was sitting on his shoes.
Also she gets protective when I am close to him (as I mentioned before) as it is her mate.
What should I do?
p.s. the reminder: she is 13 years old and now she is sitting in the cage while her feathers are up (like she is trying to lay an egg again)

 

[JerseyWendy]

I'm sorry you're going through this with your Macaw girl.

The only recommendation I can think of is to cease/stop ALL contact with your husband until breeding season is over. He shouldn't handle her in any way, as it may only stimulate her more.

 

[MikeyTN]

As far as I know Macaws don't usually turn into excessive egg layers as they usually stop after so many. If she's chosen your husband as her mate, not much you can do there except tell him to stay clear for now. We've had Willie for 10 years and he still won't have nothing to do with my partner. But he tolerates my partner as I don't do the feeding nor the treats. But I am the only one that can hold him!

 

[Tatiana]

We have decided to follow the online recommendation: as let her lay an egg ( i put the blanket in the cage that she likes and that stimulates her) and she can sit on it how long as she likes (just make sure to boil the egg for 30-40s to prevent any infection). She will get bored of it finally because nothing will hatch on.
We are making sure that she is ok and she eats good (since it takes lots of calcium and nutrients from her body).

My question is:

1) If we will decide to buy another macaw (male) for her... will she stop seeing my partner as a mate?

2) how long does the breeding period for macaw last?

Thank you!

 

[MikeyTN]

There's absolutely no guarantee that she will take on the new male!!!!

I guess it goes by hormone period about 2 months? If I remember right....its a big task to take on! It can make your macaw mean!

 

[sodakat]

I wouldn't boil her egg(s). A boiled egg, if accidentally cracked, will rot whereas an unboiled egg will just fall apart and she will dispose of it. Eggs are meant to be brooded and normal sitting will not crack them. I've had birds sit eggs for 45 days.

 

[triordan]

I'm glad I have a male. ?... lol

 

[Tatiana]

I am really concerned now. So we decided to that trick with eggs and she layed two already. (one of them is broken even and doesnt have anything inside).She is sitting on them day and night doesnt want to come out, play and even eat!!! I am so afraid that it might end up bad for her! Should we take away eggs from her? (she has been doing it for a week now)
Please advise!

 

[sssaucey]

Removing the eggs will most likely cause her to lay more. It's normal for macaws to not leave the nest even to eat, however they usually have a mate to bring food to them.

So I'm not to sure what should be done with her eating, but maybe you could try offering her food where she's nesting? Who knows maybe she will start to bond with you. Hopefully someone with more experience can help shed some light on her not eating.

Good luck

 

[MikeyTN]

Let her sit on them until she's tired of them as she will give up when she know they're not going to hatch. She will eat so just keep her dishes filled. She's not going to be away from her eggs much except to eat and drink.

 

[MonicaMc]

If you want to discourage a hen from laying eggs and being broody then you have to remove *ALL* triggers to egg laying, including the eggs themselves. You need to change things up, from her cage, to her cage placement, to perhaps even the amount of light she gets per day. Maybe even the *quality* of light.

If she's determined to lay, it may be beneficial to get fake eggs in case one breaks (as has already happened). Giving her the fake eggs in place of the real eggs will allow her to go through the brooding cycle. Most hens can't tell the difference between fake and real.


You may need to do some behavioral changes once she comes out of this cycle and learn how to encourage non-hormonal behavior by using activities that stimulate her brain and body.

 

[Tatiana]

Thank you, I do give her juices and some fruits, also I put the dish of food just close to her.
I dont want her to get sick or anything even if she hates my guts