Dear Katie,
I have a pair of Love Birds who have had babies for me in the past, but ever since we moved into our new house, they lay infertile eggs. This has happened with the last three clutches. I don’t know what to think. Could it be they are upset by the move? We set them up in a nice new cage so I would think they would be happy.
-Sad in San Jose
Dear Sad,
My expert, Kat Collingridge, says that it may be the perches you are using. According to Kat, birds will not mate if their perches are the wrong size or if they are wobbly. Try putting a variety of different sized perches in their cage and make sure they are secure. If the perch is to big, the hen cannot get a firm foot hold for mating. A perch that is too narrow will produce the same outcome so it is best to provide several of varying sizes. If they have been successful before and you still have the perches they used in their other cage, you might try putting those in the new cage. For heavier bodied birds like Amazons, Greys, Ekkies, etc. It may take two perches placed about three inches apart so the hen can stand and grip one with her feet and hold on to the other with her beak, giving her more stability when mating. Remember, the perches have to be very sturdy, not at all wobbly. Often, people give up on birds who lay clear eggs when all that is really needed is more perch variety and stability.
Warm Regards,
Katie
Dear Katie,
My Eclectus hen is trying to make a nest under the furniture. Every time someone walks too close to a certain chair in the living room, she runs out and bites their feet! I can’t get her to stay on her cage or play stand, she just makes a bee line for that chair and then protects it like a little troll! I’ve thought about just giving her a nest box, although she doesn’t have a mate. It would have to be better than her biting everyone, right? It’s getting to the point where no one will come for a visit anymore. : (
-Sore Tootsies
Dear Tootsie,
I would NOT give her a nest box. That encourages egg production and she could become egg bound. Egg binding is very dangerous and can even be fatal. Instead, increase her sleep time to at least 12 hours of total darkness each night. If you decrease the time she is exposed to light, her hormones might settle down a little. Longer light hours trigger hormonal behavior in birds because it simulates springtime, the time for reproduction. You might try cutting down on soft foods for the time being, as well. Plentiful food is also a hormonal trigger as it too simulates a springtime food supply. If she goes to the floor, gently pick her up, in a nice fluffy towel if
necessary, and explain to her that she is not allowed on the floor. Put her in her tree or play stand. If she goes to the floor again,
repeat this only this time, put her back in her cage for a while. It is beneficial to have several play areas situated in different areas of the house. This way, you can carry her from room to room and give her a little change of scenery to distract her from wanting to nest. Trick training is also a good distraction. Frequent showers are always a good thing as well. With diligence on your part, I think you can turn this around. It is well worth the effort to tame these red heads. When they get over the hormones, they love with all their hearts and to be loved by a female Eclectus is the most wonderful thing!
Warm Regards,
Katie
I have a pair of Love Birds who have had babies for me in the past, but ever since we moved into our new house, they lay infertile eggs. This has happened with the last three clutches. I don’t know what to think. Could it be they are upset by the move? We set them up in a nice new cage so I would think they would be happy.
-
Dear Sad,
My expert, Kat Collingridge, says that it may be the perches you are using. According to Kat, birds will not mate if their perches are the wrong size or if they are wobbly. Try putting a variety of different sized perches in their cage and make sure they are secure. If the perch is to big, the hen cannot get a firm foot hold for mating. A perch that is too narrow will produce the same outcome so it is best to provide several of varying sizes. If they have been successful before and you still have the perches they used in their other cage, you might try putting those in the new cage. For heavier bodied birds like Amazons, Greys, Ekkies, etc. It may take two perches placed about three inches apart so the hen can stand and grip one with her feet and hold on to the other with her beak, giving her more stability when mating. Remember, the perches have to be very sturdy, not at all wobbly. Often, people give up on birds who lay clear eggs when all that is really needed is more perch variety and stability.
Warm Regards,
Katie
Dear Katie,
My Eclectus hen is trying to make a nest under the furniture. Every time someone walks too close to a certain chair in the living room, she runs out and bites their feet! I can’t get her to stay on her cage or play stand, she just makes a bee line for that chair and then protects it like a little troll! I’ve thought about just giving her a nest box, although she doesn’t have a mate. It would have to be better than her biting everyone, right? It’s getting to the point where no one will come for a visit anymore. : (
-
Dear Tootsie,
I would NOT give her a nest box. That encourages egg production and she could become egg bound. Egg binding is very dangerous and can even be fatal. Instead, increase her sleep time to at least 12 hours of total darkness each night. If you decrease the time she is exposed to light, her hormones might settle down a little. Longer light hours trigger hormonal behavior in birds because it simulates springtime, the time for reproduction. You might try cutting down on soft foods for the time being, as well. Plentiful food is also a hormonal trigger as it too simulates a springtime food supply. If she goes to the floor, gently pick her up, in a nice fluffy towel if
necessary, and explain to her that she is not allowed on the floor. Put her in her tree or play stand. If she goes to the floor again,
repeat this only this time, put her back in her cage for a while. It is beneficial to have several play areas situated in different areas of the house. This way, you can carry her from room to room and give her a little change of scenery to distract her from wanting to nest. Trick training is also a good distraction. Frequent showers are always a good thing as well. With diligence on your part, I think you can turn this around. It is well worth the effort to tame these red heads. When they get over the hormones, they love with all their hearts and to be loved by a female Eclectus is the most wonderful thing!
Warm Regards,
Katie
By Kathie Jo Miller