Here we go again...

[Andie]

My lovebird has laid again.

This is a thread I posted earlier.

Basically I have to decide what to do with her.

1. Leave the eggs for a month (again!!) and hope that that is enough for her.

2. Switch some of the eggs (1 or 2) for fertile ones laid at the same time. People on here have said they don't like this idea and I do worry. It was advice that came from a very experienced breeder of many types of bird and was based on the fact that she knows she hasn't raised the birds and that the job is not done. He has offered to teach me and guide me through supplementing the babies with some handraising because my lovie would be a single mum.

I worry what is worse for her body. Making all these eggs for months on and off and sitting or feeding babies for 8 weeks and being done with it.

I know that letting her raise birds might make her a little aggressive but I am so worried about her laying all these eggs that I am seriously willing to sacrifice some of her pet-ness if it is better for her...


Anyone want a free lovebird?

[Flappuccino]

Personally, I think a vet visit for hormone shots would be the best option.

Calcium depletion is a real concern, and having to be a single lovie, feeding herself and babies could be tough on her, should you choose to give her fertile eggs.

Also, if you end up handfeeding, it's a huge time commitment, as well as finding forever homes for new babes.

Good luck, whatever you choose,
Jeni

[Andie]

Thankyou for your kind words, Jeni. You say all the things that I am worried about. Losing all this calcium vs feeding them by herself (with help from me).

I hope to have hormone shots as the absolute last resort. I am probably just paranoid but when we had to get hormone shots for my cat to stop him spraying, it totally changed his personality and he has never been the same. And it didn't stop the spraying...

Also, I would not have to worry about finding homes for the babies. I would keep them. They would not be pawns in my birdie psychology treatment. They will have a happy life with lots of toys and yummy food and hugs from me.

I feel bad because it seems that she would be a good mummy. Maybe she needs a fella to

I was wondering how much burden it would take off her if I fed them twice or three times a day from the start and let her do the in between ones.

I will call my vet again today and see what they think.

[Sigmar]

have u tried substituting the real eggs with fake ones. maybe when she lays the first one put 3/4 fake ones in. Just a thought

[Andie]

Sigmar, does making the fake eggs change her way of thinking about it? At the end of sitting, there will still be no hatching.

I let her sit on 3 real eggs for one month and she seemed to be 'over it' so I took them away. Now after 2 months of peace she is laying again. 2 now :(

I tried to call my vet between classes today but they were really busy. At least I have the day off tomorrow so I will be able to deal with this :)