Sun conure laid 7 eggs so far

[djdancer]

My sun conure has laid 7 eggs so far and only sitting on 2 of them. I really don't think I can handle baby birds but still want to know how to take care of them should we decide to let them hatch.

Also, the sun conure won't leave the eggs and I'm having a hard time taking them out so that they don't hatch. I'd like to know what the best way to ensure that they don't hatch should we decide not to let them hatch. I boiled a couple and one of them broke while boiling. They conures ate another of them. I'd like to take them out and do something with them to ensure that they don't hatch and then put them back after doing whatever it takes to make sure they aren't going to hatch. Also will she know that I touched her eggs and lay even more?

 

[Williamsong]

What I did when my cockatiel was laying eggs is went to DummyEggs.com Stop Egg Laying! Fake Falso Faux Eggs and you say what type of bird you have and they send you wooden eggs that are painted to look exactly like the eggs of the species you selected, you just take the real eggs out and throw them away and replace them with the wooden ones, your bird will never know the difference.

 

[getwozzy]

You can just shake them....

 

[djdancer]

Not that I want to right now but is there anywhere on this site that I can learn about how to bring up the babies?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Not that I want to right now but is there anywhere on this site that I can learn about how to bring up the babies?

No, not really. If you decide to let them sit on the eggs, perhaps you could get in touch with some conure breeders? Please bear in mind anything and everything 'could' go wrong, especially if they are first time parents. Are you prepared for potential loss(es)?

 

[djdancer]

Prepared for loss of the mother or father or the babies? I really don't want any right now. My husband does but I would be doing all of the work and I already have my hands full with running a house and taking care of my husband (he has cancer) and daughter. I was just wondering for next time if we should decide.
Also, I have a question: Whenever the male conure gets back in the cage with the female she grabs his beak in hers and moves her beak and head real fast. We have seen her do this on us at times but have no idea what it means. I think it must be some term of affection because our male is much older 22 years and he doesn't put up with much and would let us and her know it if he didn't like something. He doesn't move or pull away or anything.

 

[getwozzy]

Loss of the babies.

There is also the potential of the parents abandoning the chicks, which someone will need to step in and hand-feed them-- which can be complicated (you should find someone to give you advice and show you how to do this, what to watch for, what to do if XYZ or ABC happens, etc.). Hand feeding is 'round-the-clock. You can ask your avian vet for advice and "hands on" help.

The beak thing she does for him- she's regurgitating for him (they're in LOVE).

 

[djdancer]

Thanks Getwozzy. I think the regurgitation thing is funny because the male has always regurgitated all day long by himself long before any female came into the picture. BTW, we did shake all of the eggs. She still looks like she may be going to lay more. I hope this stops soon.

 

[weco]

Since she's already laid almost two clutches of eggs, hope you've been feeding her additional calcium.....scrambled eggs, with the shells finely crushed might be a good choice.....in the event she does start laying again, the lack of calcium reserves will cause her body to draw the calcium to make the eggs from her own bones.....

Good luck.....

 

[djdancer]

I am giving her extra calcium. Scrambled eggs with shells and the local pet store also ordered some liquid calcium for me.

Question: She hasn't come out of the cage to go to the bathroom. How long can she hold it because it's been a day and she doesn't want anyone near her cage. The male dive bombed me this morning for bring her food. I got attacked something awful by him when he's usually very good with me. Never bit me before and usually very loving.

 

[weco]

It's natural...a parent protecting his nest & mate and since this is a natural, wired in behavior, so whatever relationship you have with this pair can't be relied on until the eggs have hatched & the chicks fledged.....

You might want to carefully feel her belly feeling for a possible new egg.....and, I hope you have an avian vet on speed dial and have some vegetable oil around. During egg laying, the humidity around a hen should be increased, even placing a larger bowl of water in her cage to allow her to bathe/soak if she wants. If she is carrying another egg, that egg might pose a problem for her if her previous laying caused some type of internal problems...the delayed pooping can indicate a new egg in the duct...use some vegetable oil to gently lubricate her cloaca.....

Good luck...hope everything works out OK.....

 

[djdancer]

Thanks Weco. I'm really not looking at having any babies at this time but she won't leave the cage to go to the bathroom. She has decided to use the nighttime cage to lay her eggs and they don't go to the bathroom in their nighttime cages. I'm not sure how to feel her belly because I can't get her out of the cage. She hasn't left the eggs for two days. She does eat the seed that I leave her though when we aren't looking. Maybe I shouldn't give her seeds in that cage?? They normally don't have food in the nighttime cage.

 

[djdancer]

I took the food out of the cage and she did come out to go to the bathroom. However, she will not let me feel to she if she has another egg. It doesn't look like it too much though. Thank you all for your replies.

 

[mamamacaw]

I had the same problem when my "male" sun conure layed eggs. This was the answer that worked for me. I'll call it egg phase and you have to get them out of it. They said we have to do something that disturbs them like taking them a ride in car (in carrier) or change toys. They also said to avoid petting wings and remove anything they rub against that can stimulate them. I removed all toys and her beloved tipi sleeper. She wasn't happy but it worked. Wish I could find the article as they explained it much better but it's been a few years since I saw it. Anytime I hear those clucks she made while laying I take her toys for a few days.

 

[djdancer]

I just took the eggs out today. She finally got bored with them and boy am I so happy. I'll have to remember when she starts to make the noise again make the changes.

Thank you so much!