budgie question

Question
Hi! I just have a question about my budgie, Gertrude. She is a little more than 4 and a half years old, and had a mate named Terrence since she was about 1 yr old. Terrence died about 3 weeks ago, but a few days ago I found an egg in Gertrude's cage. She has never laid eggs before, but lately she has been on the floor of the cage ripping up her newspaper. Do you think the egg could have a chance of being fertilized by Terrence? Another thing: A lot of times I see Gertrude and she is not sitting on the egg. Other times, I've seen her on the floor of the cage, rolling the egg around the cage floor (without harming it), and sort of flapping around like she is playing with it. Do you think she is serious about raising the egg/chick, if it is fertilized? Is there any way I can get her to sit on the egg more? Thank you so much.
Cara

Answer
Poor Gertrude, her little egg is taking the place of Terrence in her attentions, but I'm afraid that since he passed away 3 weeks ago this egg isn't "his" . Female birds often lay eggs even without a mate (think of all the chickens laying all those eggs people buy. These hens have never even seen a rooster, let alone mated with one).  
 For now you might want to leave the egg so it keeps her from laying more. Egg laying is a serious and many times dangerous behavior that could result in egg binding (one getting stuck), threatening the life of your little girl.  

 Some owners replace the real egg with a fake one (many of the same size and color can be found in craft stores) - just make sure there's no paint on them, which may be toxic.

If Terrence passed from a disease or infection, you might want to have Gertrude checked right away.  Her behavior might be related to this.

See more about egg laying and how to prevent it, what foods to increase to help insure your girl's health and lots more:

 www.4AnimalCare.org  

 (click on the bird tab)