Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/15/2008

Question
i have 2 pet canarys one has just had 4 eggs not sure if the other one is a boy or girl and also the girl bird cannnot fly she was ok before she laid the eggs  how long before she can fly thank you

Answer
Hi, Sam,

I don't know much about canaries, so I can't help you with sexing your birds.  This information is available on the internet.  However, do know that female birds can lay infertile eggs without a male.  

Sometimes when female birds lay eggs, they can't fly or walk sometimes for a short period after laying.  This period usually only lasts a day at most.  However, there may also be a medical reason(s) for her not being about to fly.  I can't answer your question as to how long before she can fly again because I don't know what's wrong with her.  She really needs to be seen by a certified avian vet, however, if she is on fertile eggs, you don't want to take her from her eggs because the eggs will go cold.  Eggs that cool down too much, sometimes even 10 minutes, usually won't hatch.  You can candle the eggs to see if they are fertile, then make your decision as to what to do.  Candling is the process of shining a light source through the eggs to see what you can see inside.  Eggs have to be incubated for 7-10 days before doing this.  If inside of the eggs look like a chicken egg from your refrigerator, they are not fertile.  If you can see red veins going to/from a dark spot inside, they are likely fertile.

Chrys