peach fronted conure

Question
HI, i was trying to breed my peach fronted conures. I have take them to a vet and had them sexed and they are male and female. so i set up a cage for them soon after they laid a clutch of 5 eggs. I wait about two weeks and candled them. None of them are fertile. First of all is this normal. Secondly should i take the eggs so that they can try again. Also the female is about 2 years old and male is about 7 year old.  Thanks Travis

Answer
HI Travis,

I have to ask this every time breeding is involved.  Have you done research into breeding and all that is entailed if any problems arise with the female (egg binding, peritonitis) or chicks?  Are you prepared to handfeed the babies (which is a delicate process) should one or both parents reject?  Perhaps you've already done all your homework and know what you're getting yourself into and if that's the case, I'm happy to hear that.  If not - be sure to thoroughly research parrot breeding as it's a complex process when done responsibly.

Yes, it's normal for birds to lay infertile eggs, especially if the pair were recently put together.  They may need some time to get into a routine and get good at what they're doing.  Be sure you've provided all the necessary things needed for them - like a nestbox with nesting materials (no walnut shells, corncob, or cedar - all deadly to birds.  carefresh and maybe even pine shavings will work best) for them as well.  Diet is important too.

I would let nature take it's course with the eggs currently there.  Egg laying is taxing on the female and her body is still adjusting itself back to normal after laying the clutch she just laid.  Let her sit on those eggs until she pushes them out or no longer seems interested in them.  She'll likely stop doing so after a total of about 30 days realizing they are not going to hatch.  Also if you notice she's spending a great deal of time NOT sitting on them (like 30 minutes or more at a time) - she knows they are not fertile and will not hatch.  If you take them away now - she may not react well and get stressed then immediately begin mating again.  All of which would not be good until her body is ready for it.  As I said, let nature take it's course, as if they were in the wild.  

Good luck and I hope this helps.