by chibi-tori on Sat Feb 17, 2007 10:16 am
GoldiesMom,
A little bit of insight for you. Birds, as all other living things have a natural instinct to procreate and sustain the species. Some have stronger instincts to make babies than others, but it's a completely natural thing for her to be doing, albeit maybe a little more so than normal. She could possibly lay up to 8 eggs before she's finished, but lets hope not. At some point, she will eat -- she has to in order to be able to lay more eggs, and she will not starve herself completely unless there is such a hormonal and mental imbalance that she is driven to lay come hell or high water. What you might want to do for her is make access to food and water easier, i.e., put her regular food very close by her egg clutch so she does not have to leave them for a long time. This should not induce or make her lay any more eggs than she's is going to lay, but will help prevent her from going down the tubes from lack of nutrition. You might try adding some hard boiled egg with half the shell left on it, just in case she were to decide she needed something crunchy to nibble on. It's not normally good to give chicken egg shells unless they have been baked as they can harbor some types of bacteria that are not really good, but nonetheless, I'd risk having her eat more shell and get the calcium before I'd let her become calcium deficient. As for comfort, she will give up any comforts to the extreme, thinking she's doing the right thing to have her clutch hatch. It's unfortunate that the hens don't know they will never hatch, but I guess that's one of natures unresolved mistakes, like so many others. My advice to you is simply to let nature take its course, try to provide any extra nutrition you can for her, and just let her be unless she wants the attention. Yes, it's going to take some time for her to give up on the eggs, and you're probably looking at a month since the first egg, or at least 21 days after the last egg is laid. I wish we could give you more help than what we've suggested, but unfortunately, most of use here are not breeders, and what I've suggested is only what I've learned through reading and studying about cockatiel behavior. I do not have first hand experience, but the things I and others have suggested is considered "best practice" with respect to egg laying, and preventing, or coping with it. We all know you miss having her with you, and her being her normal self, as well as you wanting her to bond with you. Patience my dear, patience. If you feel things have really gotten out of hand, your best option, as always, is to consult your avian vet. For her health and your peace of mind, that is always a good option.
I'm pulling for your baby to stop laying eggs and get the process over with. Just keep us posted as to what happens, and if you ever feel there is something really wrong, by all means, contact your vet.
Hi, my name is Sam, and I'm a 'tiel addict !
Smokey, Gizmo, Missy, Pixie, Patches, Suzie, Chirp, Lil 'bit, J.J., Bandit, Daisy, Cuddles, Cappy, & Shelly