What a SURPRISE!!!!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. My name is Alicia and I have been the proud mommy of 1 Sun Conure named Dakota for 8 years now. We have never been sure whether Dakota is a male or female, but always assumed he was a male. This morning I went into give him his beakfast and change out his water.... WELL.... Imagine my surprise to see "him" sitting on the floor of "his" cage, all fluffed up, and as I approach "he" backs up to reveal an EGG!!!:11: Dakota is a GIRL!!!

So, the first place I turned to was this here forum to see what I should do. I have now created a nest for her and placed her egg in the middle of it. She was not very protective of the egg and allowed me complete access to it. I will have to go out today to get her a new cuddle bone and some liquid calcium. It's my understanding that conures usually lay 3-4 eggs per clutch... how often can I expect her to lay? Should I change her diet in any way? She has always eaten Zupreem Daily Fruit Flavored Bird Food for Medium/Large Parrots. She has fresh water daily and is offered fruit and veggies, but doesn't typically show much interest in them. She gets nuts and other dried fruit, crackers, and such as treats.

Howdy! Welcome to the forum. My Sun Conure came to me with the name of Andy-age unkown-original owner died long ago. Well Mr. Andy stayed with me a few months, doted on me, and presented me with an egg one afternoon. She totally ignored the egg and all the others she laid. But she was very 'nesty' and weaved the most creative nest-like shapes with her rope toys. However she never laid an egg in her creations! I renamed her Sassy Ann. With her-and since I have laying hens- I added a few laying pellets to her diet and she always did well.

It sort of depends on the bird. I would definitely make sure she has enough calcium and water available, but personally would pull the eggs as she lays them if she ever lays more than one. The eggs won't be fertile if she hasn't been around a male. She doesn't seem overly concerned with her eggs, so unless the removal of it distresses her, I wouldn't be too worried about taking it out. Most birds know whether eggs are fertile or infertile, and will "cull" the infertile eggs from the rest while they're sitting. My female tiel got so good at knowing her eggs that I only candled as a matter of record-keeping. If she had pushed it aside, it was as clear as clear could be. Female birds are known to lay eggs as the seasons change and they're contented - they have everything they would need to lay an egg except for a mate. Be alert for breast feather plucking - she'll do this if she feels she doesn't have an adequate nest. I haven't personally experienced an un-mated female laying more than one egg, so perhaps other members can advise you there

I just bought a Jenday Conure. I had no idea females could lay eggs without a male, that's interesting and good to know since I am just assuming my conure is a male also. I guess if this ever happens to me I will now know its normal. Thanks for your post.

Hello Alicia,
Welcome to the forum. It's common for birds to lay eggs. Just keep her up with calcium by giving cuttlebone, banana or calcium powder for birds in her water bowl.

Try distracting her from making nests and laying eggs by keeping her busy with foraging toys and removing nesting material.

Since the eggs are infertile and will make her loose calcium, she should be distracted and kept busy with other activities.

Thank you for joining the forum.

Welcome to the forum!!!

Regardless if the egg is fertile or not, they use calcium either way. Just keep her on a good balanced diet and offer more calcium such as cuttle bone, cooked egg with shell, calcium powder, etc.

Sometimes it is hard to prevent them from laying period, but you can try to discourage it. For me I move them around from cage to cage.