We just got one batch of babies weaned and moved off into juvie, and then their parents, the Fab Four (BamBam, Pebbles, Fig and Cocoa -- we are talking all societies here) have four more eggs before I can even blink. And in the adjoining breeder cage we have just-nearly-weaned six more babies from the Freebee family (Elan and Lacey). Of course, not ready to move on to juvie just yet, they need to stay with the fam.
Last night the Fab Four guys, BamBam and Fig, began fighting over the nest of four eggs. This is odd for them, because before last night, they have always shared just fine. There is one single very large nest basket that they have all been using. Well, I just was not going to let this go on, so I just unceremoniously took that nest out, four little eggs and all. So there, see if you fight now. Fighting stopped. Eggs tossed. Yes, I'm mean.
Meanwhile in the house next door, I figured there would be more eggs over there, as well, since that's what societies do. (Above example) Of course, there were three eggs over there. Two nests in that house, and they were both taken out, and in the process the three eggs fell to the floor of the cage and broke.
Then I felt bad because now the parents are looking down at the broken eggs. Ugh. Took those out, put new flooring in and then decided to just remove the divider between the two cages. So, now all the kids are mixed up together and NO MORE FIGHTING, NO NESTS, NO EGGS. We are on forced break.
I think the unweaned will be just fine. I see them eating the millet already. It won't be long and I'll be putting them in juvie. I guess I will need to decide if I need to separate boys from girls after that and put the divider back in, or now that there are no nests, if it will be okay as is and keep everyone together.
You might take my home away and break all my eggs....Yikes!!!
