Egg Laying Hormonal Quaker

[TeleBirds]

Hi! I have a single female quaker parrot who is about 10yrs old. I’ve had her for 4yrs (rescue). Her previous owners recall her laying eggs in the last but she has never laid eggs in my care until this year. She laid one a few days ago, I removed it as that’s what I was reading online, rearranged her cage, got rid of toys that would encourage it, removed her bowl that she was nesting in, have been providing her with calcium rich foods during the day (spinach, brocolli, leafy greens), and have increased her sleep schedule to 12.5-13hrs. However, she has laid another egg. I removed it and replaced it with a fake which is now what she is sitting on at the bottom of her cage. Knowing that laying eggs is hard on her makes me anxious is there anything I could do or should be doing to help her or help prevent it? Any advice is appreciated as I’m not used to this egg laying!

 

[Pixiebeak]

Welp...my quaker girl Phoebe just laid her second egg ...

I've all girls and she is the only one ever to lay. She laid her first at under 6 months if age when I first brought her home and she wasn't hand tame yet. Then skipped a year and laid one and skipped a year and now I. Her second...I think done females are just more prone to.

As to what to do...I'm working on it myself. When the season starts I've felt like I had luck moving her cage and re arrangement. But this winter )spring I even took away her tent . She was extra hormonal this year and nothing detoured her........I've tossed them everytime. But is that best ? I don't know...worked before..

 

[TeleBirds]

Welp...my quaker girl Phoebe just laid her second egg ...

I've all girls and she is the only one ever to lay. She laid her first at under 6 months if age when I first brought her home and she wasn't hand tame yet. Then skipped a year and laid one and skipped a year and now I. Her second...I think done females are just more prone to.

As to what to do...I'm working on it myself. When the season starts I've felt like I had luck moving her cage and re arrangement. But this winter )spring I even took away her tent . She was extra hormonal this year and nothing detoured her........I've tossed them everytime. But is that best ? I don't know...worked before..

Thank you for your reply! It’s a difficult time of year! My poor girl won’t stop laying on her decoy egg at the bottom of the cage. She’s still eating and what not but I’m hoping she eventually gives up on it soon and this all passes!

 

[Pixiebeak]

When my quakers girls gett hormonal, they get loud. Love to get up high and screech! Does your do that?

 

[Pixiebeak]

Thank you for your reply! It’s a difficult time of year! My poor girl won’t stop laying on her decoy egg at the bottom of the cage. She’s still eating and what not but I’m hoping she eventually gives up on it soon and this all passes!

Parrot species are different, and some species you definitely want to leave eggs or do dummy ones....then it takes time .

But there is a broody feed back loop when sitting on them . So I've choosen to toss. But many vets advice to leave or dummy eggs,, this can be real important with some species as they will keep laying to replace lost eggs. Best to discuss with your avain veterinarian.

 

[TeleBirds]

When my quakers girls gett hormonal, they get loud. Love to get up high and screech! Does your do that?

currently my quaker is quieter than usual, but very territorial! She’s been sitting low, laying on her fake egg. I’ve read several threads that suggested providing a “prop” egg in hopes to discourage them from laying more eggs

 

[WillowQ]

Have you made sure that she’s getting at least 12 hours of real darkness?
Indoor life is luxurious in some ways compared to wild life: lots of food and long artificial days. That makes birds’ bodies sense that it’s time to breed.

you did good taking away the nesty cup but longer dark periods would help, too.

 

[TeleBirds]

Have you made sure that she’s getting at least 12 hours of real darkness?
Indoor life is luxurious in some ways compared to wild life: lots of food and long artificial days. That makes birds’ bodies sense that it’s time to breed.

you did good taking away the nesty cup but longer dark periods would help, too.

Currently my birds are getting 12-13hrs of undisturbed rest (partially covered cages in a quiet room, lights off, blind shut etc.). Usually they get 10-12 but since my quaker has been egg laying I have tried my best to increase their rest time during the early evening the room isn’t pitch black but it is darker than usual.

 

[TeleBirds]

Parrot species are different, and some species you definitely want to leave eggs or do dummy ones....then it takes time .

But there is a broody feed back loop when sitting on them . So I've choosen to toss. But many vets advice to leave or dummy eggs,, this can be real important with some species as they will keep laying to replace lost eggs. Best to discuss with your avain veterinarian.

 

[TeleBirds]

Yes this makes sense! Initially I thought taking the eggs would be best, however after speaking with a specialist they advised to try and leave the egg, or a placebo egg. I am now trying this. Fingers crossed.

 

[WillowQ]

Just making sure you knew about photoperiod and broodiness. I would leave the egg or get a fake egg, I would be worried bird would just replace the stolen egg.

 

[TeleBirds]

Thank you for the advice!