Two Plucked Rescues -- oh no, eggs

[Elaine922]

We rescued our female eclectus (Lexi) about 4 years ago. She's a plucker and pretty nasty. My husband is the only one who can handle her. I talke to her all throughout my day, take care of her cage, food, water. She has never flown while living here. She is pretty cage-bound -- she spends most of her day on top of her cage or on the stand or chairs very close to her cage. Very verbal and we go through a calling ritual pretty much every night. But does not like to be touched.

Two years ago, we rescued Crackers, a sulphur-crested cuckatoo (also a plucker). He spends most of his day on the bird stand and does fly around. He is very interactive with the humans of the house. He stands on the bird stand close to Lexi, but she's nipped his feathers now and then and he goes to the opposite side of the bird stand. Once in awhile, they'll eat together, but eclectus really keeps her eye on him.

For the first time since we've had her, today, Lexi laid an egg and looks like she's going to drop another one very, very soon. I've closed her cage and mostly covered it for right now. I left a portion for her to be able to look out. I put a box in there for her to be comfortable.

Although they seem to be supervised constantly, there was one time we forgot to close up the cages before we went out. One of Cracker's big feathers was on the floor when we got home!

So, here's a very naiive question -- could her egg(s) even be viable?? I've been trying to read up on what to do. So far, I've read just to leave the egg(s) in her cage with her and she'll either figure out what to do or will abandon them.

Any thoughts?

Thanks, Elaine

[birdiemommy]

No, they won't be fertile. Unlike dogs and cats, we talking about different species, not breeds. Just leave the eggs and she will get bored with them :)

[Elaine922]

That's a relief. I mean, I wouuld've done whatever I needed to do to help her. Thank you very much.

[Elaine922]

How long do you think she'll sit on this egg? The cockatoo tried to get in her cage thru the food dish today! I shooed him away, but she looks very protective of that egg.

[sodakat]

She may sit the full 28 days. Sometimes they tire of it before then, but some stick it out. She will eat and drink etc. while she's sitting, so don't worry about that. If she's still on it in a month, you can take it away.

[Elaine922]

Thanks -- she has been eating and drinking and then goes right back to the egg. She doesn't seem to be interested in anything else and is certainly very quiet for her. She's usually a big talker.

I love the picture of your eclectuses -- if you didn't say the one was green, i never would've noticed him!