Missing Egg

[RFitz]

Sunday, our Yellow-thighed breeding pair ("Mom" and "Pop") had an egg in their nest box. I was thrilled. We've raised four clutches from them, and they've been good parents. Then, yesterday, our Black-head pair ("Bonnie and Clyde") had an egg in their nest. That was more exciting because this is the first egg from this our newest pair! This evening, I checked in, and there was no egg in Mom and Pop's box...nothing, not even a shell. Anyone else have this happen? Will it be a habit for the rest of the eggs in this clutch (as they're laid)? Should we do something to prevent it?

 

[MonicaMc]

Are you sure it didn't get lost in the nesting material?


If they did eat the egg, then you may need to replace their eggs with fake eggs, and have your other birds incubate and hatch/raise the egg/chick as one of their own, or get an incubator and know how to raise day one babies!

 

[Parro]

Incubators is a great solution, there are also some videos on YouTube on how to make Home-made incubators!
For me, I did have eggs 3 times, they were all infertile due to Lora and Harry's young age.

 

[pacoparrot]

Also keep in mind if you give them the fake eggs they will "teach" them that the eggs don't break when chewed on and they should stop. That's how it works with chickens. My hen was an avid egg eater and I did this and she is safe with them now.

 

[MikeyTN]

Fake egg would be an option to stop them from eating them, but if all else fails you can make an concoction within the egg to feed them. They'll quit eating the eggs really quick. You poke a hole on either end of the egg and empty the content by using a needle within the egg to bust the yolk then blow everything out into a bowl. Mix with cayenne pepper along with hot mustard then put the solution back within the egg and seal both ends with corn starch. Put the egg within and let them have a go at it. They'll learn real quick not to eat eggs again.

 

[MikeyTN]

Incubators is a great solution, there are also some videos on YouTube on how to make Home-made incubators!
For me, I did have eggs 3 times, they were all infertile due to Lora and Harry's young age.

Sometimes it can be either one or both pairs are infertile to begin with as well!!!

 

[Parro]

Sometimes it can be either one or both pairs are infertile to begin with as well!!![/QUOTE]
I know, it depends on years. Males are fertile UNTIL 10-12 years. Females are fertile until 8-10. If the bird is healthy, it can stay fertile for longer!

It isn't recommended that birds breed at young age, and there are lots of requirements for the breeding to be successful.
Such as: The bird needs to be over 18 months old to be at LEAST able to breed.

 

[MikeyTN]

Actually Cockatiels can start breeding around 9 months of age! But recommended age is around 1 and a half to two years. They can be infertile even at a young age as well! I've been raising cockatiels for over 17 years.

 

[Parro]

speaking of breeding,

Harry is putting pressure on Lora's back (standing on her) which made Lora go to the wooden house in the cage. They both are eating a millet-like thing.

Sounds like Lora is up to breeding stuff. Cause that food in there is filled with calcium and calcium is necessary for eggs

Update: Ok, it sounds like their BREEDING. Harry is biting the wood in the entrance of the house, and then carrying the wood chips and building a nest with them. Lora is eating calcium-rich foods now. Are they breeding cause I think they ARE

 

[MikeyTN]

Yes they stand on their back then mate....There's videos and such online you can watch how it is being done.....You need to supply nesting materials within the nest box cause they don't build a nest!!! It still can be infertile as sometimes they need quite a few tries to make it right. Just like one of my pairs, it took them 6 tries to make fertile eggs. After that they become great parents raising chicks.

 

[Parro]

Ok, they had 3 shots before. Hopefully I'll check tomorrow for an egg, since they lay an egg every other day. I'm going also to watch out for egg binding symptoms (I hope no egg binding...)
I'm going to have to also change the position of the rock that supports the wooden house... It's current position will make the eggs roll to the back.

 

[MonicaMc]

Parro, if you want to tame your birds, it's best not to encourage them to reproduce. (i.e. no nest, no nesting material)


If you don't mind them breeding, then don't expect them to be tame pets.


Although it is possible to have tame pets that are breeders, more often than not breeders are 'wild' and they must be so to protect their nest and their family from intruders.

 

[MikeyTN]

What Monica says is very true!!!! Whenever mine goes into breeding mode they become super aggressive towards me except a few.

 

[Parro]

So what should I do, if lora has already began egg formation there's nothing I can do about it... Once they breed should I separate them?

 

[MonicaMc]

Do you want them to breed?



I've never separated Pistachio and his mates when I worked with him. In fact, I've worked with both at the same time in earning their trust. However, I don't encourage my birds to breed, so they don't have a place to nest and raise chicks.