Crimson conure pair with brooding problem

[Venia]

I hope someone here has some advice to offer:

I have a pair of crimson conures that were placed together about six months ago. They have had access to a nestbox, primarily I intended them to sleep in it as I know conures likes to have a box for this purpose.

But now the hen has laid two eggs in the past three days. The problem is, they were both cold and were lying quite far away from her in the nestbox itself when I discovered them.

I don't think the hen has had any eggs before, as she is only about 2 years old, and she clearly doesn't know what she is supposed to do with the eggs. She spends time in the nestbox, but also spends a lot of time out in the cage. The birds are housed inside.

I am wondering what to do in order to get the hen brooding on the eggs properly.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'd appreciate any advice and help, it's a heartbreak watching the cold eggs that could have become babies...

[Monica]

First time hens dont make the best parents. If this is her first clutch then just leave her be, and in time she may figure it out. Besides, hens may not start incubating as soon as the eggs are laid...

[Venia]

Originally Posted by Monica

First time hens dont make the best parents. If this is her first clutch then just leave her be, and in time she may figure it out. Besides, hens may not start incubating as soon as the eggs are laid...

Thank you so much for your answer.

So this means that the eggs could possibly hatch even thought they were cold when I checked them?

Do you know how long an egg can survive without being warmed?

[Monica]

No, I do not know how long eggs can go without incubation, [I am not a breeder] however I have heard that if incubation has not started, then eggs can be left alone for 2-3 weeks without heat. Many pairs do not sit on the eggs 24/7 once the eggs have started through the incubation period. Even at that, first time clutches may not even be fertile. Are you sure you have a male/female unrelated pair?

Do yo have handfeeding experience? Can yo handfeed if the need/desire arises? Do you have handfeeding supplies? Syringes? Handfeeding formula? Brooder? Do you have the time to handfeed? Do you know the cons of handfeeding, such as slow crop? Burned crop? Fungal/Bacterial infections? Etc?

[Venia]

Originally Posted by Monica

Are you sure you have a male/female unrelated pair?

Yes, this I am certain of. One bird has been imported and the other one bought locally. And they have both been DNA-tested.

Originally Posted by Monica

Do yo have handfeeding experience? Can yo handfeed if the need/desire arises? Do you have handfeeding supplies? Syringes? Handfeeding formula? Brooder? Do you have the time to handfeed? Do you know the cons of handfeeding, such as slow crop? Burned crop? Fungal/Bacterial infections? Etc?

I have raised several clutches of Pearly conure babies during the last few years so I know what I'm in for in that regard.

[Monica]

Sounds great then! I hope all goes well, if your intentions are for this pair to reproduce! Although perhaps you may want to consider getting some fake eggs for them to incubate (if they aren't good at it yet) and putting their eggs under an experienced pair, until right before the eggs are about to hatch, if they are fertile?

Would love to see pictures of your birds!

[amanda143]

I don't know 100% about conures, but it's been my experience that some birds don't start sitting on the eggs until they are done laying the number of eggs they want.