2 yr. old female Lutino Lovebird

Question
Anni has already had a clutch of 5 eggs (unfertilized). Yesterday she laid an egg, however, she doesn't seem to be as protective of it as she was the first ones.  She comes out of her cage to do some paper shredding, eat and drink. When she returns to her cage, she doesn't necessarily sit on her egg. Should I remove it?  She lost alot of weight the first time around so I am concerned for her health.

Thank you,

Nadia

Answer
Hi, Nadia.  Thanks for posting!

Usually, parrots don't start incubating (sitting on their eggs) until the second egg is laid.  Therefore, I'm not surprised she isn't sitting on her egg full-time yet.

No, don't remove it.  If you remove unfertilized eggs as they are laid, the female will continue to lay and lay until she has a full clutch underneath her.  Just leave it where she has laid it until she abandons it (and any others she may lay) on her own.

If this bird is underweight and you are concerned for her health, she should not be laying eggs.  You can take your lovie to an avian veterinarian for a hormone shot in order to stop her from laying (the shot will be effective for some amount of months).  You can help discourage her from laying by limiting her available light to 8-10 hours per day only, not putting anything in her cage she can shred for a nest or keeping anything in the cage that resembles any type of nest/nesting box.  

Chrys