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Birds--General/Parakeet Breeding
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Question
Hello, my pair of parakeets recently bred, and I was just wondering if it is possible for them to breed but not lay eggs. They first bred when I was not there because I noticed one egg in the nesting box. Then about a week ago I saw them breed, but no new eggs have appeared. The female has also not sat on her first egg or showed any futher interest in the nesting box.
Hi, Melissa. Thanks for posting!
Your keets only need to mate one time in order to produce a full clutch of eggs. However, mating more than once helps to ensure viability of eggs that are laid. It's possible they won't lay eggs after mating, but this is not usually the case.
Your birds should be laying 1 egg every other day until 4-6 eggs have been laid. If they only have 1 egg so far, something is amiss in the situation. Normally, females don't start incubating their eggs until the second egg is laid, so this is likely the reason she isn't incubating yet.
Did you put anything like pine shavings in the nesting box? If so, take this out...your birds don't want anything in the nesting box except for their eggs.
Chrys
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Answers by Expert:
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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