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Egg Laying - What to Expect
hen will appear swollen in the vent area before eggs are laid. Another indication
of impending egg laying is extremely large droppings. The average clutch will
usually be four to seven eggs, although I've heard of up to 10 eggs being laid.
The eggs will be laid every other day until the clutch is completed. The hen
will not always sit tight until the second or third egg is laid. It's not unusual
to see several clutches of clear eggs before fertile eggs are produced. A pair
may go through several cycles before actually producing chicks.
Some inexperienced young pairs may destroy their eggs or
chicks. If a squabble has taken place in the nestbox and an egg has
broken, the hen may eat the broken egg in an attempt to keep the
nestbox clean. If the eggs are being deliberately destroyed, replace
the newly laid egg with a plastic egg. Once the birds realize the
eggs can't be destroyed, the problem is usually solved. It is not
uncommon for this to occur to young, inexperienced pairs. Often the
problem will resolve
itself and the next clutch will go smoothly.
Some hens will sit tight after laying the first egg. In a large clutch
this can cause a vast age difference between the oldest and youngest chicks.
The incubation period for most Parrotlets is 18 to 19 days. The hen will spend
all of her time in the nestbox coming out only to defecate. The male will feed
her either in the nest box or at the entrance hole. Sometimes a male will even
help incubate the eggs, although it is uncommon. If several eggs have been laid
before the hen begins incubating, it is possible for several chicks to be hatched
Although most pairs will rest between clutches, a very determined pair
will continue to lay clutch after clutch. It is these pairs that must have their
removed for a forced "vacation." A very determined pair will even attempt to
nest in a food dish or on the wire grate of the cage. When this happens, the
pair is moved to a different cage with new neighbors and an entirely different
view. This generally results in breaking the breeding cycle.