nesting

[Crow]

Hi everyone,

Just wondered if i could get a bit of advice vis a vis nesting and broody lovebirds. Pearl is coming up to a year (1st Feb) and Bruce will be a year old at beginning of Dec. Pearl has been shredding collecting paper in her feathers pretty much since we've had her, but now they have started to mate, (or least try to!) so i get the feeling they will want to nest soon. Pearl often will go into nooks and crannies around the house and get all aggressive and fluffed up etc, and will bite us if we try and get her out. She was in a cupboard and bit me REALLY hard just now when i tried to get her out, and drew blood, so she's having a time out. But i am wondering if i should provide a box for her so she doesn't go so mental outside the cage?

Any advice appreciated! I have never had nesting birds so i completely new to it, and i want to do it right. I don't know if i want them to have babies as i don't know that either of us will have time for it, so i have some plastic eggs which i am thinking about using but i'm not sure - does anyone have any advice on this too?

:confused:


Thanks!

Jane

[linda040899]

Hi Jane,
If you are not sure you want or have the time for baby lovebirds, replacing any eggs laid with fake ones is the way to go. A typical clutch can consist of anywhere from 4-8 eggs and as many as all of them have the potential to hatch. Ultimately, that can mean either keeping the extra lovies or finding new loving forever homes for them. Trust me. In this economy, that's no easy task!

I would probably give them a nest box, if for no other reason than to control where the hen goes in search of a place to lay eggs. A nest box is much safer than other choices!

[Crow]

Thanks Linda, i will look into buying a nest box then. Pearl got really excited about an empty cereal packet earlier! cute.

Jane