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Re: lovebird eggs
Posted by Brimonster on 4/26/07

On 4/16/07, been there wrote:
> On 4/16/07, amy wrote:
>> Hi,I know they say it is normal for lovebirds to lay 4-8
>> eggs but,since last sun. mine have laid 9.Does this mean I
>> have 2 females?I have seen them mating many times,and the
>> one I think to be the male is always on her back but I
>> wanted to know of 2 females will do this too?I have tried
>> to candel the eggs but I'm new to this and cant tell for
>> sure.a few of the eggs have dark lines almost like shadows
>> in them,and I know it would be to early to tell with all
>> the eggs,some of them are still clear.Anyway I would be
>> greatfull for any help at all.Thanks.
>
> Good question. A young hen can lay 9 eggs as can two females.
> Two females can set up housekeeping as a male & female pair
> would.
> A hen will nount another hen as will a male & female.
> If you notice both birds shredding paper and tucking it and
> taking it back to the nest box, that would probably indicate
> you have two females, but there is the rare male that can do
> that also.
> A fertile egg, from the beginning will show fine red lines
> which indicate blood vessels. These then go on to expand and
> become dark masses over the course of incubation.
> The only way to be 100 percent sure is DNA testing, or until
> you eventually get a chick.
> Don't throw any of the eggs away and continue to candle them
> at a later date. Lovebirds incubation is about 23 days.
>
> Good luck.

I have a proven male who shreds and tucks, so yep, there are
those rare males out there!

Check the eggs 4-7 days after being laid. Like ^ they said, the
eggs will show red veins coming out from a single spot. That
spot where the veins come from will eventually be the chick.
How long did it take for the bird(s) to lay 9 eggs? That will
be the determining factor. It should take at least 16 days for
a hen to lay 9 eggs by herself. If it were any faster than
that, you have 2 females.
Briana

Posts on this thread, including this one

• lovebird eggs, 4/16/07, by amy.
• Re: lovebird eggs, 4/16/07, by been there.
• Re: lovebird eggs, 4/26/07, by Brimonster.
• Re: lovebird eggs, 8/23/07, by sarah oveson.