Ask Lafeber

Parakeet Laying Eggs Outside of Box

Hello,

My female parakeet has now laid 2 eggs in the corner of the cage and is not laying in her nest box. Last spring she laid her 1st clutch of eggs (about 5) in her nest box and did really well sitting on them, however towards the end she started to kick them out of the nest box and abandoned them. It was her 1st time so I didn’t think much of it. Now the nest box is back where it was the first time and she does go inside and hang out but is laying outside on the bottom of the cage and not in the box. Each time I notice them on the bottom of the cage they are cracked an unable for me to save. Any reason why she is doing this? How can I help her?

Hi,

Some birds simply are not good breeders. She needs to be at least 2 years old. If you let her breed too soon, she will make more mistakes than a bird that is old enough. It sounds like she isn’t settled into breeding. She and the mate might not have a true bond. I would rest her for at least 6 months after this clutch, and if you want to let her try again, you can. But if she continues to not use the box or break the eggs, then I wouldn’t breed this pair again.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda