Ask Lafeber

Question:

May 17, 2022

Conure Eggs


Have a green cheek. She is 6 yrs old. Last year laid 1 egg. This year laid 4. Took them away and now laid 3. Vet said leave in cage to get her to stop laying. How long do I leave them in before taking out and keeping her from laying more. Thanks.


Answer:

Hi Gloria,

You can leave them until she abandons them. Usually she will give up in a few weeks. If she still won’t leave them once the normal incubation period is over, then you can take them away. There are some changes you can make to try to discourage more egg laying. If she keeps laying eggs, she will need hormone shots or an implant or she can literally die from laying too many eggs.

You need to do all of these things to discourage egg laying. Keep in mind that to lay eggs, she needs longer daylight, warmer weather, abundant food, and a quiet, private environment. Your goal is to reverse these conditions.

Limit her light to 8-10 hours by covering the cage early each evening

Do not give her anything to use as a nest – no bird huts or tents, no box, bowl, etc. If she decides to sit in a food bowl, remove it and replace with smaller cups.

Do not give her anything to shred such as paper or cardboard.

Rearrange the toys in the cage frequently.

Move the cage to a different place in the room. Move the cage about once a week, or whenever she shows signs of nesting – settling on the cage floor for example.

If she is let out of the cage, do not let her get in any dark cozy places and don’t give her free roam.

When you handle her, limit any petting to her head and neck – do not pet her on the body.

If there is no metal floor grate, then do not use any bedding or paper in the cage tray – leave it bare and clean it daily.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

 

Subscribe to our newsletter

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter

×

Join our Lafeber Flock

Enjoy our Pet Birds' weekly newsletter, featuring captivating stories, care tips, and more.
Opt for Small Mammals' monthly edition for delightful facts about rabbits, guinea pigs, and more.
Choose our monthly Backyard Chickens newsletter for insightful information to keep your flock happy.
*