egg laying?

[hollyhawkz]

Hi everyone!
It looks as though Wawa is female, although we are still waiting for the DNA testing results to be sure. Her first exam was today and she is aok. (Other than being traumatised by the toe nail clipping)
I would like to know how soon Black Capped Conures start laying eggs and all the things to watch out for. Wawa is now 14 months old, and I want to make sure I know what is going to take place and how to make sure she is safe. What is being egg bound, what do you look for and how do you fix it? etc... etc...
Thank for your time everyone!

[ROYJOY]

conures are mature at 2 years, and may or may not lay. it depends on hours of light and/or if she is breeding. egg binding is the inability to lay an egg usually due to low calcium. you can tell if she is sick and cant poop, and you can feel the egg in her behind. you can avoid egg binding by offering plenty of calcium, and sun light. if egg binding occurs, give calicium gluconate, oraly via seringe fallowed by a couple drops in her water every other day. better yet, see a vet ammediatly. it may need to be surgicaly removed. egg binding is not likely to happen but be prepared.

[hollyhawkz]

Thanks Roy,
She has a great diet with cuttle and beak block and a full spectrum light which she is under for 6 to 8 hours a day minimum so hopefully all will be well, but it is good to know what to look for just in case. If I see any signs of trouble she will be off to the vet so fast it won't be funny. I found an avian vet 20 minutes away that will come on an emergency and if neccesarry will make house calls! Wawa is not to thrilled with her right now as she just did a DNA toe nail clip. LOL I wish we had better weather here, I would put her living room cage outside for her, but mostly it is rain rain and rain.

[ROYJOY]

sounds like your gonna be a great mommy. have fun.

[hollyhawkz]

Well Roy,
Even thought the vet and a conure breeder were sure that Wawa was a female because of the wide pelvic bones, to everyone's surprise Wawa is a boy! The vet just called with the news.
Thanks for all your help!