Birds--General/Love Birds

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Expert: - 10/13/2007


Question
I have a bird that layed about 5 eggs, but she hasnt been around a male for a month and a half.  Will the eggs hatch?

Answer
Hi, Bobbie,

Did the female mate with the male when they were together?  Were the pair pair-bonded, i.e., did the male feed the female beak-to-beak?  

If the male and female were not a bonded pair and did not mate, the eggs will not hatch.  The female might be laying infertile eggs as a result of hormonal activity.  However, you'll need to be the judge of this since you would know more than I whether this pair mated and/or were a bonded pair.  Parrots don't just mate with the opposite sex because the opposite sex is "available."  A pair has to be pair-bonded before they will think about mating.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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