African Grey; egg laying

[Joycerice]

As I said I am new to birds so here is my question: I have had my African Grey about three weeks. This week she laid an egg in the cage, which I removed. Today she laid another. I have read conflicting information one source said to remove the eggs immediately to keep her from getting broody; the other said to let her sit them because if they are removed too soon it will stimulate her to just keep laying eggs. Which is true? I am just beginning to gain her trust and I don't want to do anything to hurt that, or her.

 

[Allee]

It is true, most hens will continue to replace the eggs if you remove them. Do you know if this is Jeremiah's first clutch? Hopefully this will be a one time event. Where did she lay her eggs? I would let her keep the eggs until she loses interest. For African Greys, the average clutch size is three eggs, but it can be as few as one or as many as five, they usually lay an egg and skip a day until the entire clutch is laid, some hens will sit on the eggs and care for them, some won't. Most vets agree that a healthy hen can lay two clutches a year with no adverse affects to their health. Diet is important while Jeremiah is laying. If she will eat vegetables, I would offer kale, sweet potatoes, carrots, crushed egg shell, sprouts, vitamin rich foods will keep her healthy while she's producing eggs. Keep a close eye on her while she's laying and make sure she continues to eat and exercise.

Continue to care for her as you normally would, when Jeremiah's hormone levels drop back to normal her personality will really start to show. Best of luck to you and your girl.

 

[SilverSage]

I agree with what Allee said.
Also, I have an article on this issue because it comes up so often. Rather than typing it all out again, I will link the article below

Handling Hormones ? Silver Sage Aviaries

 

[Joycerice]

Jeremiah has laid 5 additional eggs after I removed the first two. I have increased hours of darkness to 12 hours, limited her food, although now she will not eat any vegetables, and the egg laying has stopped. However, she has been sitting these for several weeks. Three of the eggs were removed after three weeks when they began to crack, This caused her a lot of stress and she began plucking so I put in a rubber egg which seems to have calmed her(although I am surprised she accepted it since it is much bigger than her own eggs). She is still sitting that and one of her own but has become very territorial. She rarely leaves the cage, isn't talking much, and will not come near me unless I have a treat.
Now I am wondering is the fake egg was a good idea and if I should just take it and the one remaining egg out of the cage.

Any advice would be great. As I said in my original post I have only had her since December and I think I may have damaged an already fragile relationship.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Goodness! What a stressful situation for both you AND your baby.

You said you replaced the eggs with 'rubber' eggs? Are they meant for parrots (dummy eggs)? I would remove all eggs after no more than 30 days (that's about how long the incubation period is for AGs).

After you've removed them, I'd re-arrange her cage, give her new toys, and take it from there. I don't think you've damaged a fragile relationship. Hormonal parrots are no walk in the park.

 

[henpecked]

I never heard a reply to the question, where does she lay her eggs? When you say she is plucking? What area of her body? Could it be a brood patch? Very common. You've received some good advice.

 

[Joycerice]

She laid them on the floor of her cage. The rubber egg is not specifically for parrots hence the size. A friend suggested it may help.
The area she is plucking is on her chest. Part of it could be from dry sin from the heat in the house, just with the timing I assumed it was due to me taking the eggs. The weather has been up and down around here this year so the heat has been on and off. She doesn't like the water so I have been trying to mist her periodically.

I am planning to remove the eggs today. Thanks everyone for the quick responses.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Best of luck, please keep us posted. I'm sure things will improve.