Too soon

[texsize]

Consider Sunny laid her first egg July 20th.
First egg hatched August 10.

I caught Sunny and Cheeky mating this morning.
I thought that Tiels only have 2 clutches a year. I thought that they would wait till spring, this seems a bit soon to me.

Does anyone make an equivalent to saltpeter for birds .

I am guessing the advice I will get is to separate them but this seems cruel to me. I know the birds will be unhappy and they will make their displeasure known to anyone within hearing distance.

I removed their nest box and separated the babies because of parental abuse (feather plucking) about 10 days ago. The reason for the feather plucking seems clear now but I thought with the lack of a nest box and the fact that they are still feeding the babies they would not engage in mating until the chicks are weaned. I don’t know what else I could have done. Leaving the babies in with the parents to have their feathers plucked would have bothered me also.

I guess I am posting this as an FYI more than looking for a solution. Both parents seem to be healthy and if mating continues I will add supplements to the food for egg laying birds.
Texsize

 

[gracebowen]

How many eggs last time? How do the parents look?

Mine are laying 3 eggs every three months. Fake eggs slowed them down for a mere 2 weeks. Considering a normal clutch is 6 to 9 eggs I guess mine are ok healthwise. I feed them well and monitor there behavior constantly.

I have considered seperating mine too.

 

[texsize]

It's good to know it's not so unusual.
Both parents look very healthy and active. I continue to feed them several times a day because they feed the babies 3 or 4 times a day.
The only time I had concern for the parents was the first 2 weeks. Female was definitely tired looking.

There were 5 eggs in this clutch with only 3 surviving past hatching. From what I have read I think the hatching problem was due to low humidity. This was her second clutch, first was all infertile eggs.

The chicks are (I think) close to weaning. They are all eating quit a bit on there own and the youngest I have been able to hand feed successfully.

If the mating continues I will put a new nest box and await developments.
texsize

 

[gracebowen]

If she hasnt laid eggs yet try fake eggs.

 

[plumsmum2005]

In the wild birds mate according to conditions ie weather and food supply. In our false and comfortable conditions, plenty of food, no predators, warm, lovely accommodation why shouldn't they continue to mate? Perhaps have a look at how much they are fed? Obviously it is not natural for their little bodies to keep doing this so it could be wise to give her a rest.

 

[SilverSage]

Unfortunately laying too often can have major consequences for the health of the parents, especially the hen. Every effort should be made to stop the progress. I have written an article on hormonal control of parrots. Please give it a read. If you follow the steps you shouldn't have to separate them.

http://www.silversageaviaries.com/handlinghormones/


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[plumsmum2005]

@Silversage : Great read!

 

[SilverSage]

Thank you. I need to write one specifically for people housing birds in pairs, but for now the diet, environment, and other such info holds.


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