She is sitting on these eggs in a basket and she laid the first egg on Monday and has laid an egg every other day. There are now 4 eggs, they can’t be fertile. She leaves the basket about 4 xs daily to eat and drink water and is nervous to return to these eggs. I feel we should take the eggs out of the basket and allow her to return to her cage and normal lifestyle. What should we do?
Hi Jo Anna,
You are correct about keeping her in her regular cage and her normal routine. You can place the eggs on the cage floor, and most single hens will sit on them for a couple of weeks and then give up. Single females can become chronic egg layers, to the point that it is a risk to her health, and in some cases you end up having to take her to an Avian Vet for a hormone shot or implant. It is best to not let her have the basket or any type of nest because this encourages egg laying. There are other steps you can take to try to prevent her from laying again or at least too often. Limit her light to 8-10 hours per day by covering her cage early in the evening. If she is tame, limit any petting to her head and neck – when you pet her on the body this is a hormone trigger. Rearrange the toys and perches in her cage and move her cage to another place in the room every week or so. And never give her a nest, bird hut, bowl, box or anything she can sit in. Also no paper or anything she can shred. If she turns around and lays eggs again in spite of the changes, you should consult with an Avian Vet about hormone treatment – it is safe and effective, but temporary.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
