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Birds--General/Why does my parakeet destroy her eggs?

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Expert: - 9/8/2007


Question
How come when my female parakeet lays her eggs, she drops them down into the bottom of her cage, are the eggs defects? Why does she do it?

Answer
Hi, Richard,

I need more details about your particular situation.  

In general, when a bird does this, it could be because there is some type of substrate in the nesting box, the bird feels her eggs/offspring won't be safe in this location, there are other birds in the same cage other than the female's mate, the bird is being disturbed too much...there could be many reasons.  

If your female is doing this after she has incubated her eggs or about the time they should be hatching, it could be that the eggs are not fertile or have died in their shell, etc.

If these eggs were laid in a colony breeding situation, it might not be the female that laid these eggs that is doing this, but another bird.

This is why I need more details about your particular situation in order to help further.

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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