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Re: deciding factor on clutch size?
Posted by jill on 10/17/05
On 10/17/05, Jeff wrote:
> On 10/16/05, jill wrote:
>> does anyone know what the deciding factor is on how many
>> eggs are laid in a clutch? thanks in advance, jill
>
> Jill,
>
> I'm not so sure there is a "deciding factor" of how many
> eggs a budgie will lay in any given clutch.
>
> However, and this is just based on my 2-year experience with
> breeding budgies, I think one prominent factor would
> be, "diet." First, the hen (i.e., female) needs plenty of
> calcium in her diet, for as she lays eggs this depletes her
> body of calcium. If that calcium is not replenished, then
> she will not be able to produce eggs.
>
> It is important, therefore, to be sure that you have a
> cuttle bone in the cage, especially during breeding season,
> but it is important to keep one in the cage at all times.
> During breeding season, you will see the cuttlebone diminish
> more rapidly than during the off season; this is because the
> hen continually replenishes herself with calcium, through
> the cuttlebone.
>
> As the eggs begin to hatch, and I've experienced this with
> my budgies, the hen will sometimes actually eat the egg
> shells after her chick has hatched. She is simply
> replenishing herself with calcium, in addition to helping
> with the hatching process.
>
> Generally, however, budgies lay anywhere between 4-7 eggs
> per clutch. My smallest clutch was 4, and my largest clutch
> was 9, which is a VERY large clutch for a budgie. However,
> only 7 of the 9 hatched. Not sure why the 3 didn't hatch. I
> suppose there could be various reasons for this.
>
> I hope this helps you....
anything is helpful. you never know what little tidbits you
will pick up when you ask a question, thanks for your
response,jill
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