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My B&G, Beaudreaux (Boo-dro) 9 yrs. 6 mos. and Holly, Military Bolivian, 6 yrs. 9 mos. have been mating and she laid 2 infertile eggs. They're still at it!! Vet was on call but the infertile eggs came out okay.
I thought their breeding season was in Feb-April? Plus, there is no nest box.
I don't like hybrids but if my darlings want to, guess I'll have 1-2 milligolds?
Both macaws I raised by hand since 6 weeks and 3 weeks of age. My babies are spoiled rotten, deservingly so.
Wonder if I put a make shift basket with papers, etc. would be sufficient for her to lay and sit on any fertile eggs?
Love this website, it's great.
Thanks

macawmom wrote:... Wonder if I put a make shift basket with papers, etc. would be sufficient for her to lay and sit on any fertile eggs?...

What would be the purpose of giving them a make shift basket? If you're going to let them bond, mate, and sit on fertile eggs that hatch, I feel it's your responsibility to see that the babies live and thrive. A proper nestbox is the first step. A professional brooder, reliable scale, sterile nursery . . . You're the driver, so drive carefully... Babies on board.

I have no clue about when the supposed infertile eggs were laid, why the vet was on call, and the behavior of the birds prior to egg-laying and afterward, and if you intend to keep the birds as pets or as breeders. Because I am a bit rumpy today, I think that the purpose of your post today was out of excitement and the need to brag a bit. I understand your excitement. I don't trust your intentions.

A Hen can lay eggs anytime and the male doesnt have to breed her to have her lay the eggs. First, a basket wont do. The Hen will usaully chew on the inside of a nest box to help make the nest, even if you put in shavings. The pair will need privacey or they may not sit on the eggs and it usually takes a week of sitting before you know if they are fertile also so If a baby or babies hatch the birds will need the same thing or the babies might get killed. How do you know the eggs were infertile. Have they been incubating them for awhile. If you want breeder you will loose your pets because they will have each other and if you get close to the hen the male will come after you. and I want to tell you Breeding parrots is not easy work. If you decide to go on you better buy a brooder and an incubator in case they arent good parrents and you have to raise the babys and if you want to know the size of a nest box. about the size of a whiskey barrel. Infact Ive used them. Good Luck Mark

sounds to me that you havent a clue on what you are doing. split them up before they become unmanageable and end up in a rescue home. to many birds in this places already. leave the breeding to the pros

Here's a cheap place to buy a second cage

http://www.valuecrate.com/pcdt36.html

I have to agree with the advise given. Unless your trying to get on the fad bus & breed these to --- there isnt any reason they should be left alone together.

We get companion parrots for pets. For them to bond with us, if you are allowing your B&G you time -- he doesnt "need" to bond with another bird. Everyone gets hormonal -- its a fact of nature. But just because she is hormonal doesnt mean YOU should allow her to breed.

Please research more about your pet. The dos & donts of the breeding season's -- It amaze's how people just get these birds with no idea what they are doing?!?!?!?!

Why isnt anyone telling this person that they should not let this happen. this is why there is so many unwanted birds that end up dumped. come on members we have seen it, breeding is getting out of control due to people like this do not encourage it

Hence why we have rehommed so many/ I agree STOP breeding. Junebug is 100% right!
People dump them like fashion wear. I for one am sick and tired of fixing what others cause. I hope one day the Government/ public does something to regulate this, all you see is more and more for sale and people keep on adding them-----

I am not nor wish to be a breeder! My macaws I play with daily and yet they are mating on their stand?? These are my babies, I have trouble walking due to breaking my back in 1987, I'm blessed in that I can walk some up to 15 minutes and Beau and Holly have been such a help in my recovery.
I posted my question hoping for honest help. They are bonded to me very much, yet, at night they are mating (yes, during the day at times). I've been doing my level best to stop them. I'm very well aware of the large number of unwanted parrots. My vet can't explain why they are mating?? Yeah...I am checking on another avian vet.
By "makeshift" nest, I meant by hanging a nestbox yet I don't want to encourage them breeding.
I apologize for the misunderstanding.

macawmom wrote:I have trouble walking due to breaking my back in 1987, I'm blessed in that I can walk some up to 15 minutes and Beau and Holly have been such a help in my recovery.

Parrots are not a Prescription for what ails you. It is your duty to keep them apart since you are in no way capable of providing the proper "Husbandry Techniques" that they require. If you think keeping them apart is hard on your feelings think about what lays ahead.

I am a Combat Wounded Disabled Veteran I can understand your condition. However one of the worst things that have happened to me is "when I had to bury babies from my parrot." And this is with over 50 years of experience breeding birds. You have to make a conserted effort to keep them apart at all times. I gave you a link for cages which I usually sell for a mark-up (to make money on when I sell a baby) and offered it to you at my price. If you can not afford to keep them apart may I suggest adopting one of them out.

We are not being hard on you. There are many here that do not like the fact that you are responsible for putting together "two different species." And here that is big no-no. However in your condition if you had two of the same I feel many my have replied the same way.

DO NOT PUT UP ANY NEST BOX. This will only cause the matter to get worse. Any eggs laid in the cage should be disposed of right away. Think about what you are doing. And remember these are not your Prescription to get better, they are God's beautiful creatures that deserve better than this.

Pick one, place it up for sale in "Breeder Section" and sell one of them so first of all you can manage your flock better, and secondly you might have a few extra bucks to find a better vet.

HELLO, break them up.when I was 18 I was jumping the cheerleader in the back seat because she was there all you have to do is spit them up come on think about it

Seperate cages sounds like the way to go. You don't want to lose that wonderful bond you have with them. I know I'd be crushed to suddenly lose my 2 best friends by turning them into breeders.

JUNEBUG wrote:Why isnt anyone telling this person that they should not let this happen. this is why there is so many unwanted birds that end up dumped. come on members we have seen it, breeding is getting out of control due to people like this do not encourage it

We are all telling her not to! Just not in a blunt - harsh way about it!

As long as it stops another unwanted bird I will continue to be blunt thats the problem with alot of these sites that encourage this Some people need a slap in the face to wake up. so be it