What to do with baby lovebirds?

~Chameleon~

Just a thought, especially if you think you might struggle to find homes for the young birds, but is there any reason you should continue to incubate them?

Depending how old the eggs are I should imagine there are very humane ways to deal with those rather than allowing them to grow and hatch

mrcow

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Depending how old the eggs are I should imagine there are very humane ways to deal with those rather than allowing them to grow and hatch

The risk you run is that the hen will/may continue to lay as you remove eggs. This can be disasterous for her health as she can run the risk of becoming egg bound and it can also deplete her resources very rapidly.

At the moment, I've had to introduce a nest box and put the eggs in there as it is not suitable for them to be on the cage floor. She's had three eggs and seems reluctant to sit in the new nest, so hopefully they won't incubate anyway. In the past, she's eventually sat in the nest box so only time will tell I guess.

I'm going to keep the rest of the cage clear so she can't use any alternative materials to nest with on the floor. Hopefully she'll cease laying due to lack of nesting materials. It's a difficult one as on one hand, I would love to avoid these eggs hatching, but at the same time, upsetting her natural instincts when she's in quite a state anyway (it's quite a stressful time for the hen) can't be too much of a good idea either. I'm going to keep the eggs close by her for now as I think removing them could be very upsetting for her.

Lovebirds are extremely temperamental animals (as are most exotic birds) - I think my two in particular are quite highly strung!

tiamai_d

Pet shops are by law, not allowed to sell Psittacines (birds with a parrot type beak) if they do not have a leg band. And they have to keep a register call the Psittacosis (beak and feather disease) Register. So, technically, pet shops are not allowed to buy in birds without leg bands (except canaries, some finches ets). And of course it depends on your local Licensing laws too....

Can you buy 'fake eggs' and slowly swap her eggs for the fakes? That way you can dispose of the eggs and avoid her becoming upset because her eggs have disappeared. Lovebird eggs are the same size as Cockateil eggs, about 1inch. You can buy them on ebay, but are costly. Or, get some modeling clay and make your own.

mrcow

tiamai_d wrote: »

Can you buy 'fake eggs' and slowly swap her eggs for the fakes? That way you can dispose of the eggs and avoid her becoming upset because her eggs have disappeared. Lovebird eggs are the same size as Cockateil eggs, about 1inch. You can buy them on ebay, but are costly. Or, get some modeling clay and make your own.

Thanks for the suggestion. I can easily make some (don't know if they would fool her though!). I'll look into the fake eggs and how long you leave them there for. My worry is what would I do after that? She'd sit on the fake eggs and continue to be protective about them.....I can't leave them in there indefinitely as she'll continue this behaviour and then after a while she will lay more if there is a nest in the cage (I know this through experience!). The only way I've sucessfully managed to stop her laying in the past is to completely clear any material that she could possibly use for nesting and keep it that way.

tiamai_d

You can use them in several different ways.

Swap them over one at a time as there is less chance of her noticing. Rub them about the cage floor or nest if you can before swapping. Then leave them in until she gets bored and abandons the nest (most do after some time). You can add in more eggs than she has, she should then stop laying as she will think she has a large enough clutch. In theory anyway!

Or you can leave them in indefinatly if she continues to lay eggs. Some birds are chronic egg layers and it is the only way to help.

On top of that, keep removing nest material. Pretty soon her instincts will tell her that attempting to breed is a waste of resources.

Good luck!!

Nightowl

If you do end up with chicks, I suggest you lacate a local bird breeder who I am sure would hand rear and home them for you. Safer to approach a breeder than a pet shop as they usually care more about the animal/bird they breed.

kr15snw

Hi mrcrow can I reccomend you visit this website . Its a site Im on quite regularily as Im a parrot owner. But there is a lovebird discussion as lots of them are experienced breeders. They will be able to help you with any questions you have