Hello, I was just wondering if you have any advice for me. My budgies surprised me with an egg that I was not expecting. It was broken on the bottom of the cage. I got advice and set up a breeding box for them. It appears that they have been in it. However today I found another egg broken on the bottom of the cage. How can I encourage them to use the breeding box so this doesnt happen again. Thanks so much, any advice is much appreciated.
Hi Karyn,
This isn’t unusual for first eggs. Even if they had the nest box already, she doesn’t always use it the first time. First clutches almost always fail due to mistakes by the parents. Just give them privacy and let them learn.
For breeding, Parakeets should be at least 2 years old. You should be feeding them a nutritionally balanced food like pellets, as well as leafy greens, veggies and some fruit. When you hang the nest box, they need an egg food daily, and you feed this until they are done with the eggs or until all chicks are weaned. This can be a commercial food or cooked egg with the shell washed crushed and cooked with the egg. The nest box should be hung on the outside of the cage as high as possible. You do not leave the nest box up year round. It should be removed and the pair rested for 6 months after each clutch of eggs, whether they hatch or not. So if she breaks all of these eggs, remove the box and try to make them rest from breeding for 6 months. During this time, you can have them in a busy part of the house, and move the cage often to discourage any egg laying. When it’s time to hang the box again, they need a quiet, private place in the house.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
