i dont know what to do

cdog · May 4, 2012

My parents don't want me to keep breeding because it takes up so much of my time. Sully and Bella aren't good parents so I have to take the babies at 10-14 days to handfeed. I don't want to have to give them up but I'm not sure what else I can really do. Can I keep them together and just not let them breed or is that not nice. I don't think it would be nice to keep birds that love eachother and like to breed from breeding. I just don't know what to do. If I cant keep them without breeding I will have to give them up.

RescueMe · May 4, 2012

Many birds live happily with other birds in separate cages. Give this a try, it may be unpleasant for a bit, but in the end may work out for the birds and you might be surprised how they adjust. Just because they can reproduce does not mean that they must breed. Mating behavior is physically depleting for these guys as well so keeping a pair and not breeding them can be good for their health as well.

cdog · May 4, 2012

Ok, thank you. I really don't want to see them go so I will give this a try.

solobaby · May 4, 2012

It will be hard for the first few days - i sperated my indian ringneck and gcc a week ago and my gcc is still trying to adjust but is doing way better

cdog · May 4, 2012

So should I get another cage for them and keep Sully in one or can I just take the nest box down and keep them together? They really hate to be separated.

Mayden · May 4, 2012

cdog said:
So should I get another cage for them and keep Sully in one or can I just take the nest box down and keep them together? They really hate to be separated.

Try taking down the nestbox first, reduce sunlight hours etc. Convince them it's no longer time for mating and laying.

If that still doesn't work then consider a separate cage. x

traciediann · May 4, 2012

Cdog, I can relate to what you're going through, even though my parrotlets are really excellent parents. But two unexpected clutches of three and four chicks each does take alot of your time and energy and as one poster commented, it takes alot out of them as far as nutrition and energy and their general quality of life. Your female always runs the risk of becoming egg bound and that would be tragic. There's no harm in seperating them or making the enviroment a bit inhospitable and less than optimal for breeding, this surely must happen in the wild just as finding an optimal nesting spot occurs in the wild. A break would be good for them and you! Yes, they're a "couple" but maybe they need a little break too, since their parenting is suffering? Don't worry.

cdog · May 4, 2012

I'm going to give them a 6 month break, I just didn't know how long they could go without the nest box. But we will see. Thank you everybody for the help.

Pedro · May 4, 2012

Cdog my GCC's have 3 clutches a season, after the 3rd clutch i take the nest box out for 6 months. I have only just put it back in the cage but they won't breed until spring. We are just heading into our winter months now. So really they only have a season here & don't breed all year round.

Put them on a maintence diet. Meaning to cut down the amount of food you feed them. They don't worry or stress out if they don't have their nest box, mine just sleep on the perch.

Seperating a breeding pair may stress them out more than taking their nest box away. When my little male had to go to the Vet to have his leg band removed, i kept him inside for a few days to make sure it all healed up ok, the poor hen was beside herself calling until i put him back with her.

cdog · May 4, 2012

Well my parents don't want me to breed them at all. I don't know if they would like not being able to breed at all for at least 5 years. I might be moving in 5 years when my dad retires and my mom said I could get more pairs of birds then but until then I'm not aloud to breed. Would they do ok for 5 years or would they eventually just start laying in the food dish or something?

Pedro · May 4, 2012

Oh dear that's a bit tough. Just try to keep them without giving them a nestbox & see how things go. I know it is going to break your heart to have to give them up. I wish i could tell you everything will be ok but honestly i can't. All i can tell you is not to stress & just see how things pan out.

I know this is really not what you want to hear but to be able to keep your birds & if they do lay, the eggs can be boiled & then placed back under her. Let her sit on them until the incubation time is up & then just turf the eggs. You could let her do that once a year & not be bothered with babies. I do know that is a method used by pet owners that don't want babies. Sorry if it upsets some.

papaya · May 4, 2012

I bought fake African Grey parrot eggs (dummies) that I am planning on using if I see that Pepper and Slinky want to keep on breeding. I am not a breeder and I certainly don't want my pets to "burn out".
I miss my pets as it is. Pepper is stuck in the nesting box all day and night and Slinky is overly protective.
If the fake eggs don't work I will take down the nesting box. I also have an outdoor aviary that I take them to when the weather permits that does not have a nesting box.
I am sure there are multiple ways not to let your parrots breed.

cdog · May 4, 2012

I would really hate to have to give them up but I really don't want to boil the eggs either. I will just take the box down as soon as they are done with this clutch and see how things go.

thebirdnerd · May 4, 2012

I would separate the pair but put their cages right next to each other...As long as they can see each other they should be fine...

cdog · May 4, 2012

I would only do that if just taking the box down doesn't work, they really hate being apart. They follow each other around, sitting right next to each other, and preening each other.

Echo · May 4, 2012

As someone said, I would also take the nest box out, then buy fake eggs. They make great ones that look so real. If she lays, then replace the real eggs with fake ones. I did that for a Cockatiel pair I used to have and it worked great. I would not separate them.

cdog · May 4, 2012

I thought about fake eggs but don't you feel bad for getting rid of fertile eggs? I guess it's better than having to get rid of Bella and Sully. Where did you buy yours?

IcyWolf · May 4, 2012

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you get rid of the eggs the day they are laid(and replace with dummies), they aren't really fertile yet. The embryo doesn't start to develop until the hen starts incubating which can take up to a week.

cdog · May 4, 2012

Bella starts incubating the day they are laid. I know they wouldn't be developed but still. I would rather do that then get rid of Bella and Sully though.

cdog · May 4, 2012

I found a place to buy fake eggs but which size should I get, cockatiel/lovebird or conure/Quaker? The cockatiel ones are 1" long 3/4" wide and the conjure eggs are 1 1/4" long 1" wide.

i dont know what to do

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gcc conures laying eggs

I need everyone's advice

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