About Wayne Falgout Expertise I can answer any questions you may have in reference to pet birds. This would include Finches to Macaws, from Hand Feeding to Breeding.
Experience I have raised and bred birds of all sizes for over 15 years.
Question QUESTION: Hi,
My parakeet laid one egg 2 days ago on the bottom of the cage. It didn't look bluish or opaque ( fertile ) in the sunlight, and I accidentally dropped it and it cracked. She had been ignoring it anyway. We got a nest box after this egg was laid, but she hates to go down near the bottom of the cage where it is. (It is a style that fits in the cage without the wires having to be cut.) She hasn't laid any more eggs. How can I encourage her to check out the nest box? Is it possible this was it for the eggs this time? How do I know she doesn't have to lay more?
ANSWER: Linda,
Is there a way to attach the nest box at the top of the cage? She may not feel safe going into the box on the floor of the cage.
Wayne
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QUESTION: I don't think so. There were a couple of loose clamps on the bottom of it, but they fell off as my husband was putting getting it ready to put in the cage. We could try, but I'd think if she had to lay an egg, she'd go down there. There are no eggs on the bottom of the cage, either, as there was before ( 3 days ago now. )
ANSWER: It is not uncommon for a bird first time laying to have a longer span between eggs. Also some birds don't lay the average # of eggs. She may only one or tow, where the average is 4 to 6. Is her mate interested in the nest box at all?
Wayne
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QUESTION: No, not really. She has sat on the top of it and explored around the side and front, but not near the hole! We may try to wire or screw the little holes on the nest box so it can hang higher up, hopefully securely. Petco said that egg I dropped, even though it wasn't bluish or opaque, may have been fertile. Oops! I feel badly!
Answer It does take time for them to get up enough courage to go into the nest box. Give her a little time, I don't think she will let you down. Petco is correct, the egg will not show any signs of being fertile until they start to incubate it. So yes it could have been fertile.
