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Birds--General/Sun Conure and a Jenday Conure
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Question
Basically my two conures are laying eggs (3 so far) so we put in a nesting box which they are eating/destroying instead of using it to get busy. How do we stop this behavior? They don't get the attention they need (I know this is part of the problem) is there a way around this lack of personal attention.
Hi, Ruby,
Merry Christmas!
Part of the problem is that the nesting box should be up before eggs are laid, but egg laying on the cage bottom often occurs. What the birds are doing is preparing the nesting box the way they want it to be. This is perfectly natural. They would have done this regardless of when the box was set up. I use metal nesting boxes for my conures because they also chew them up. Try providing some other type of wood to see if this helps to satisfy their natural instinct to chew, such as clean/disinfected tree branches from outside, wooden toys, etc. Breeding parrots don't need your personal attention. They have plenty enough to do with setting up their breeding nest, caring for their eggs, etc. As a matter of fact, a lot of breeding parrots do not want their owners attention during this time. This is their way of protecting their offspring. However, each bird is different...some breeding birds if tame before remain tame during the breeding process and some don't.
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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