My Parakeets just laid an egg. Do they need a nest and should I take the male out?
AnimalLvr17 asked:
yes they need a nest and no don’t take the male out…find you a book or look it up on line about breeding parakeets, cages,nest boxes,etc….good luck with them.
Actually, for this egg, it is too late. You can get a nest, or a breeding box, but throw this egg away. It will not hatch. Set up the nest or breeding box. the hen will get familiar with it and start laying real eggs. This one, being their first is probably not fertile or viable. I am not being cruel, if you keep this egg it will just rot. That is natures way. Most young hens lay several non viable eggs at the beginning before they actually begin to produce. Since she is starting to lay, you can provide a box or nest for her and see what happens in a few weeks. If she continues to lay, do not touch the eggs, or move the eggs, she will abandon them immediately
The male plays a big part in hatching and raising chicks, leave him in there with her. He’ll feed her as she sits on the eggs, and when they hatch he’ll help her feed the chicks. They will need more than birdseed to feed babies though. Parakeets eat a lot of different foods. You could start now giving these to them. Eggs, hard boiled or scrambled, wheat or 7 grain bread, corn, peas, brocolli, brown rice, dry cereals such as shredded wheat or cheerios just to give you a short list. Parakeets usually like a breeding box, under 10 bucks at a pet shop. But they might not like it if you move that egg into now. Most wont hatch if they are on the floor. If you want to breed them get a box and read up on it. When ready, they will go in and start a family.