Ask Lafeber

Older Cockatoo on nest

My 42 year old Cockatoo has laid an egg..I left it for her for 3 weeks before I changed it out for a dummy egg.( Due to the egg had a small crack and was covered in poop, it is not fertile) When she is not sitting on the dummy egg she comes to us for treats and head scratches. Is it possible to move her and her dummy egg in a large carrier temporarily? Or should we just let her stay home and sit on the egg until she becomes bored?
Thank you

Hi,

I would not give her anything to nest in, or this can encourage more egg laying. If she doesn’t get bored and stop soon, take the fake egg away. It can actually cause her to remain hormonal. When you take the egg out, make some other changes to try to break the cycle. Move toys around and more the cage if possible. Always only pet her on the head – never on the body. If she lays again, you may need to take her to an avian Vet for hormone treatment.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda