Ask Lafeber

Question:

May 26, 2020

Sitting on eggs


Parakeet wont use nesting box, eggs on cage floor above the tray


Answer:

Hi Naomi,

It is frustrating when a pair won’t use their nest box. Generally they will accept it once they figure out what it is for. Did she lay the eggs and then you got the box? If so, then it’s best to leave things as they are and then once these eggs have been discarded, hopefully they will explore the nest box for the next time. Assuming you have a grate in the cage, which means the eggs are not going to hatch. If she starts to lay them in the cage the next time, try putting the eggs in the nest box as she lays them and see if she will go in to sit on them. Don’t let her have anything on the cage floor to keep the eggs in. She needs to feel like the box is the safest place for her eggs. Make sure the nest box is affixed to the outside of the cage, as high up as possible. I know that sounds odd since she is currently on the cage floor, but generally a higher nest is a safer nest, so the pair would be more likely to use it.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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