Just in time for Easter, my linnies have decided to start a family. I didn't want them to breed so didn't give them a nesting box. This has kept them from breeding for the last four springs I have had them but this year they decided to thumb their beaks at me and do it anyway. Jeff Goldblum was right, life does find a way. LOL
Sorry the image is so blurry. I had been cleaning their cage when I saw the egg and they were already very agitated so I just took a quick picture and backed off.
About an hour after this was taken there was a second egg in the hide. An hour after that one egg was on the bottom of the cage smashed. So I decided that the same thing was likely to happen to all eggs they tried laying in the hide despite their tearing at the fabric and I put a plastic dog dish in the bottom of the cage for them to use as a nest. Originally I used shredded crinkle paper but someone said paper towels might be better so I swapped it out.
Now to see if they try to lay more eggs in the hide or if they accept the nest I made for them. If they continue laying eggs in the hide I will get a nest box and replace the hide with it. I haven't decided if I will let them raise a clutch but I do know I have to leave the eggs with the hen or she will keep laying them. If I do decide to not let them raise the clutch I will give the eggs a quick boil and pop them back into the nest (after cooling down of course) so she stops laying. I will then let her keep them until she gives up on them.
Anyone know why they decided to lay eggs this year when they haven't tried in previous years? I brought home two new birds (a sun conure and a cockatiel) at the beginning of the year. Could the other birds in the house have made them want to breed?
Sorry the image is so blurry. I had been cleaning their cage when I saw the egg and they were already very agitated so I just took a quick picture and backed off.
About an hour after this was taken there was a second egg in the hide. An hour after that one egg was on the bottom of the cage smashed. So I decided that the same thing was likely to happen to all eggs they tried laying in the hide despite their tearing at the fabric and I put a plastic dog dish in the bottom of the cage for them to use as a nest. Originally I used shredded crinkle paper but someone said paper towels might be better so I swapped it out.
Now to see if they try to lay more eggs in the hide or if they accept the nest I made for them. If they continue laying eggs in the hide I will get a nest box and replace the hide with it. I haven't decided if I will let them raise a clutch but I do know I have to leave the eggs with the hen or she will keep laying them. If I do decide to not let them raise the clutch I will give the eggs a quick boil and pop them back into the nest (after cooling down of course) so she stops laying. I will then let her keep them until she gives up on them.
Anyone know why they decided to lay eggs this year when they haven't tried in previous years? I brought home two new birds (a sun conure and a cockatiel) at the beginning of the year. Could the other birds in the house have made them want to breed?