breeding like mad

Question
Hello, I have a male and female budgie which are approx.4 yrs old. I have had them for about 7 months now. I have 2 babies from them which are about 4 months old now. I love them dearly, take very good care of them and have lots of fun with them. The parents are in one cage and the 4 month old babies in another cage. The parents are very affectionate with each other and there are eggs laid all the time. Each time that I see eggs, I have been throwing them out. I haven't been supplying a nest box or doing anything to encourage the breeding. I finally felt bad to throw out the eggs and let the female lay them. She laid 5 and 5 of them hatched (one died) but the rest are doing great. I was really surprised that the babies were born and that they are doing fine without a nest box and all. Momma budgie takes good care of them and all but my question is: is there anything that I can do to not let her have more babies? She has already had 2 batches of babies this year and has laid (in total) about 25 eggs!!!! I don't believe this to be good for her health. I will not let her have any more babies but is throwing the eggs out the only solution? I don't want to separate the parents because they really do love each other....

My other question is whether I can put 2 of the newest babies (once they are old enough) with the 2 older babies that are about 4 months old? Are the chances good that the will get along? I will get a third cage if need be but wanted your input.

Thanks for your help,
Agnes.

Answer
Hello Agnes! You are right, a female breeding too much can cause her to become egg-bound. This is when the female cannot pass the egg and much blood is lost. This will kill a female. Heres what you do to get her to stop breeding. Purchase fake eggs (either from a pet store or craft store) that are around the size of her eggs. Each time she lays an egg, take that one out and replace it with a fake one. A keet will keep laying eggs until she has a clutch of 5-6. Replace all of her eggs with the fake ones. She will sit on the fake ones and since they will never hatch, she will eventully get bored and move on. Keep the eggs in the cage that way she knows they are still there and she doesnt go and lay more. I have tried this with my breeding females and it works really well. If you cannot get ahold of fake eggs, shake the ones she lays and then put them back in the nest that way they wont hatch. It may seem cruel but it'll more cruler if she pushes herself to death. You may put the other babies with the older ones once they can eat on their own. They will most likley get along. good luck!