Specifically a breeding pair?

After a year and a half mine decided to get busy and the female laid 3 eggs (so far).

I ran out today and picked up a nesting box and nesting material, got it all set up as per what I read online...but I'm hoping someone here has some experience with this kind of thing.

I was too late for the first 3 (fell to the bottom of the cage through the grate and found them cold a day later) but I see she's ready to have some more...any second now!

We had two lovebirds years ago.

They were a huge noisey pain in the arse.

The fuckers laid eggs, two of 'em, and then proceded to kick them out the nest box thing onto the bottom of the cage, why bother laying the things in the first place?

Can any org ornithologists shed some light on this?

Birds scare me.

Have you checked to see if they need a special diet?

i don't own birds ... but where i live we get so many rainbow lorikeets everyday

and pink gullahs and cockatoos

they r so beautiful

physco185 said:

i don't own birds ... but where i live we get so many rainbow lorikeets everyday

and pink gullahs and cockatoos

they r so beautiful

beautiful but noisey as fuck.

one thing i know is never to touch a birds nest...they will kill the eggs

JustErin said:

Specifically a breeding pair?

After a year and a half mine decided to get busy and the female laid 3 eggs (so far).

I ran out today and picked up a nesting box and nesting material, got it all set up as per what I read online...but I'm hoping someone here has some experience with this kind of thing.

I was too late for the first 3 (fell to the bottom of the cage through the grate and found them cold a day later) but I see she's ready to have some more...any second now!

me me! i used to breed birdies! specifically, parakeets, cockatiels and conures

JustErin said:

Specifically a breeding pair?

After a year and a half mine decided to get busy and the female laid 3 eggs (so far).

I ran out today and picked up a nesting box and nesting material, got it all set up as per what I read online...but I'm hoping someone here has some experience with this kind of thing.

I was too late for the first 3 (fell to the bottom of the cage through the grate and found them cold a day later) but I see she's ready to have some more...any second now!

which birds are nesting pair? lovebirds?

wildgoldenhoney said:

Have you checked to see if they need a special diet?

I have to give them more fruits and veggies....and egg...how weird is that?

It might not be too late for those 3 eggs!...

Egg Laying and Nesting: Eggs are laid about 7-10 days after a pair mates successfully. The process of egg laying, from ovary to fertilization, development of shell to actual egg laying is approximately 2-3 days. You can expect your female to lay 1 egg about every 48 hours. until a clutch of 2-8 eggs is laid. Prior to egg laying and during the egg laying process, the female will have very large and odorous droppings, which is normal. Fecal matter will be retained in the cloaca until they are eliminated in the morning. (Failure to pass droppings could mean egg binding. Information and symptoms of egg binding can be found on a link at the bottom of this page). Sometimes the parents will wait until 2 or 3 eggs are present before nesting on eggs. The purpose is so that most of the eggs will hatch around the same time. Eggs do not start to incubate until they are nested on and get warm and eggs can stay viable for up to 7 days before nesting is need. If parents are reluctant to go inside of the nestbox, hang a strip of millet seed near the entrance hole.

Eggs laid on the bottom of the cage floor may still hatch although literature suggests that they rarely do. If your bird lays eggs on the cage floor, put up a nestbox and place the eggs inside. Hanging a strip of millet seed spray near the entrance hole may encourage them to enter the nestbox. If your birds will not accept a nestbox, you can try using an alternate type of nest on the bottom of the cage. Alternate, non-conventional nests include a shallow glass Pyrex baking dish, a glass, deep dish pie plate, a shallow glass soup bowl or a basket with several layers of white paper towels and placed on the cage floor. Some birds may be more willing to accept an alternate nesting site once eggs have already been laid on the floor. If they won't accept it, you can try putting the eggs on a folded cloth diaper, a folded dishtowel or a washcloth that does not have loops for toenails to get caught. (Always wash your hands with hot soapy water and use a hand sanitizer before handling eggs.) Sometime breeding birds will reject an egg by pushing it to the side of the nest, abandoning it. The parents may be able to sense a lack of movement inside of a defective egg. Because abandoned eggs become chilled quickly, the embryos will die if they are not moved back to near the parents, put inside of an incubator or placed with foster parents, (another pair of birds that have already been successful at breeding a clutch of birds.) .

http://www.cockatielcotta...eding.html

XxAxX said:

JustErin said:

Specifically a breeding pair?

After a year and a half mine decided to get busy and the female laid 3 eggs (so far).

I ran out today and picked up a nesting box and nesting material, got it all set up as per what I read online...but I'm hoping someone here has some experience with this kind of thing.

I was too late for the first 3 (fell to the bottom of the cage through the grate and found them cold a day later) but I see she's ready to have some more...any second now!

which birds are nesting pair? lovebirds?

I have lovebirds, yes.

I was told that they were probably a male and a female (since they did not have them DNA sexed). I may have 2 hens, so I am not 100% sure if these eggs are fertilized. But I figured I should do this all just in case.

JustErin said:

wildgoldenhoney said:

Have you checked to see if they need a special diet?

I have to give them more fruits and veggies....and egg...how weird is that?

JustErin said:

XxAxX said:

which birds are nesting pair? lovebirds?

I have lovebirds, yes.

I was told that they were probably a male and a female (since they did not have them DNA sexed). I may have 2 hens, so I am not 100% sure if these eggs are fertilized. But I figured I should do this all just in case.

you lucky! you're going to have baby birdies

wildgoldenhoney said:

It might not be too late for those 3 eggs!...

Egg Laying and Nesting: Eggs are laid about 7-10 days after a pair mates successfully. The process of egg laying, from ovary to fertilization, development of shell to actual egg laying is approximately 2-3 days. You can expect your female to lay 1 egg about every 48 hours. until a clutch of 2-8 eggs is laid. Prior to egg laying and during the egg laying process, the female will have very large and odorous droppings, which is normal. Fecal matter will be retained in the cloaca until they are eliminated in the morning. (Failure to pass droppings could mean egg binding. Information and symptoms of egg binding can be found on a link at the bottom of this page). Sometimes the parents will wait until 2 or 3 eggs are present before nesting on eggs. The purpose is so that most of the eggs will hatch around the same time. Eggs do not start to incubate until they are nested on and get warm and eggs can stay viable for up to 7 days before nesting is need. If parents are reluctant to go inside of the nestbox, hang a strip of millet seed near the entrance hole.

Eggs laid on the bottom of the cage floor may still hatch although literature suggests that they rarely do. If your bird lays eggs on the cage floor, put up a nestbox and place the eggs inside. Hanging a strip of millet seed spray near the entrance hole may encourage them to enter the nestbox. If your birds will not accept a nestbox, you can try using an alternate type of nest on the bottom of the cage. Alternate, non-conventional nests include a shallow glass Pyrex baking dish, a glass, deep dish pie plate, a shallow glass soup bowl or a basket with several layers of white paper towels and placed on the cage floor. Some birds may be more willing to accept an alternate nesting site once eggs have already been laid on the floor. If they won't accept it, you can try putting the eggs on a folded cloth diaper, a folded dishtowel or a washcloth that does not have loops for toenails to get caught. (Always wash your hands with hot soapy water and use a hand sanitizer before handling eggs.) Sometime breeding birds will reject an egg by pushing it to the side of the nest, abandoning it. The parents may be able to sense a lack of movement inside of a defective egg. Because abandoned eggs become chilled quickly, the embryos will die if they are not moved back to near the parents, put inside of an incubator or placed with foster parents, (another pair of birds that have already been successful at breeding a clutch of birds.) .

http://www.cockatielcotta...eding.html

Argh!! I've already handled them which I know is an issue due to oil clogging the pores of the egg.

Crap, maybe I should try to incubate them? Or just let these ones go...?

XxAxX said:

JustErin said:

I have lovebirds, yes.

I was told that they were probably a male and a female (since they did not have them DNA sexed). I may have 2 hens, so I am not 100% sure if these eggs are fertilized. But I figured I should do this all just in case.

you lucky! you're going to have baby birdies

Maybe!! I'm so excited though!

JustErin said:

wildgoldenhoney said:

It might not be too late for those 3 eggs!...

Egg Laying and Nesting: Eggs are laid about 7-10 days after a pair mates successfully. The process of egg laying, from ovary to fertilization, development of shell to actual egg laying is approximately 2-3 days. You can expect your female to lay 1 egg about every 48 hours. until a clutch of 2-8 eggs is laid. Prior to egg laying and during the egg laying process, the female will have very large and odorous droppings, which is normal. Fecal matter will be retained in the cloaca until they are eliminated in the morning. (Failure to pass droppings could mean egg binding. Information and symptoms of egg binding can be found on a link at the bottom of this page). Sometimes the parents will wait until 2 or 3 eggs are present before nesting on eggs. The purpose is so that most of the eggs will hatch around the same time. Eggs do not start to incubate until they are nested on and get warm and eggs can stay viable for up to 7 days before nesting is need. If parents are reluctant to go inside of the nestbox, hang a strip of millet seed near the entrance hole.

Eggs laid on the bottom of the cage floor may still hatch although literature suggests that they rarely do. If your bird lays eggs on the cage floor, put up a nestbox and place the eggs inside. Hanging a strip of millet seed spray near the entrance hole may encourage them to enter the nestbox. If your birds will not accept a nestbox, you can try using an alternate type of nest on the bottom of the cage. Alternate, non-conventional nests include a shallow glass Pyrex baking dish, a glass, deep dish pie plate, a shallow glass soup bowl or a basket with several layers of white paper towels and placed on the cage floor. Some birds may be more willing to accept an alternate nesting site once eggs have already been laid on the floor. If they won't accept it, you can try putting the eggs on a folded cloth diaper, a folded dishtowel or a washcloth that does not have loops for toenails to get caught. (Always wash your hands with hot soapy water and use a hand sanitizer before handling eggs.) Sometime breeding birds will reject an egg by pushing it to the side of the nest, abandoning it. The parents may be able to sense a lack of movement inside of a defective egg. Because abandoned eggs become chilled quickly, the embryos will die if they are not moved back to near the parents, put inside of an incubator or placed with foster parents, (another pair of birds that have already been successful at breeding a clutch of birds.) .

http://www.cockatielcotta...eding.html

Argh!! I've already handled them which I know is an issue due to oil clogging the pores of the egg.

Crap, maybe I should try to incubate them? Or just let these ones go...?

If the eggs aren't viable and is not growing after she starts nesting, I believe she might stop sitting on them or kick them on the side.

Might be worth a try to try and save them though, if not, at least you tried.

wildgoldenhoney said:

JustErin said:

Argh!! I've already handled them which I know is an issue due to oil clogging the pores of the egg.

Crap, maybe I should try to incubate them? Or just let these ones go...?

If the eggs aren't viable and is not growing after she starts nesting, I believe she might stop sitting on them or kick them on the side.

Might be worth a try to try and save them though, if not, at least you tried.

Well, both of them were trying to sit on them, they were just under the cage bottom....so they were trying. I felt so bad.

JustErin said:

wildgoldenhoney said:

If the eggs aren't viable and is not growing after she starts nesting, I believe she might stop sitting on them or kick them on the side.

Might be worth a try to try and save them though, if not, at least you tried.

Well, both of them were trying to sit on them, they were just under the cage bottom....so they were trying. I felt so bad.

my little 8 year old cockatiel was laid on the newspaper at the bottom of the cage. he is doing great.

XxAxX said:

JustErin said:

Well, both of them were trying to sit on them, they were just under the cage bottom....so they were trying. I felt so bad.

my little 8 year old cockatiel was laid on the newspaper at the bottom of the cage. he is doing great.

I've decided not to try with the first 3. I know she has more coming....I could almost see one coming out today. I'll keep checking on her every couple of hours and hopefully they will take to the box. I put some millet in it to try and entice them in and I also put some shredded paper on the bottom of the cage to in case she wants some for her nest.

*crossing fingers*

Nothing yet!

i have bread birds and I can say:

1) hens can lay eggs with out a male sometimes they just start laying them for no reason. sometimes LOTS OF EGGS

2) it is okay to touch eggs just make you wash up before and after and really as little as possible (like cleaning out the nest)

3) at 2 weeks (of sitting) hold each each to a bright light... if it is fertilized you should be able to see a dark mass inside

4) for cockatiels I would not recommend incubators or hand feeding. they are just too much work

XxAxX said:

JustErin said:

Specifically a breeding pair?

After a year and a half mine decided to get busy and the female laid 3 eggs (so far).

I ran out today and picked up a nesting box and nesting material, got it all set up as per what I read online...but I'm hoping someone here has some experience with this kind of thing.

I was too late for the first 3 (fell to the bottom of the cage through the grate and found them cold a day later) but I see she's ready to have some more...any second now!

me me! i used to breed birdies! specifically, parakeets, and conures. I've also had a cockortoo

see what happens when you don't pay attention to spelling?

BlackAdder7 said:

XxAxX said:

me me! i used to breed birdies! specifically, parakeets, and conures. I've also had a cockortoo

preen me babee~!

where does it itch?

JustErin said:

Nothing yet!

Whenever they hatch.

TheDigitalGardener said:

physco185 said:

i don't own birds ... but where i live we get so many rainbow lorikeets everyday

and pink gullahs and cockatoos

they r so beautiful

beautiful but noisey as fuck.

to b honest...it's a good thing as it blocks out the voices in my head

She had one more egg last night and I promptly broke it trying to get it out of the bottom of the cage so she could get at it.

They are not taking to their nesting box - still afraid of it. Hopefully in time they will start using it and we'll be totally ready for the next clutch she has.

JustErin said:

She had one more egg last night and I promptly broke it trying to get it out of the bottom of the cage so she could get at it.

They are not taking to their nesting box - still afraid of it. Hopefully in time they will start using it and we'll be totally ready for the next clutch she has.

they might like an open nest box *one that is not below any pertches*

also an egg can remain dorment for a few days before they start sitting.

but have you see them having sex? they the male would be on top of the female with their tails up in the air and well you know... or the might do it back to back (well tail to tail).

OnlyNDaUsa said:

JustErin said:

She had one more egg last night and I promptly broke it trying to get it out of the bottom of the cage so she could get at it.

They are not taking to their nesting box - still afraid of it. Hopefully in time they will start using it and we'll be totally ready for the next clutch she has.

they might like an open nest box *one that is not below any pertches*

also an egg can remain dorment for a few days before they start sitting.

but have you see them having sex? they the male would be on top of the female with their tails up in the air and well you know... or the might do it back to back (well tail to tail).

But an egg will never develop if it has a huge crack in it.

I've always seen them preening each other, on top of each other, etc. But there are currently in a closed off dining room until I move and I think the nice quiet, bright room has really encouraged this whole process.

I'm not saying that I 100% know that I have a male and female. I'm just doing all this in case I do. I do know 100% now that the larger one is a female though.

I'm thinking that they will come around to the box. They are always terrified of new things in their cage but then get over it. I put millet in the opening and I think that will at least get them to check it out after a few days.

I'll take a pic of them!