Inara has an egg...

[jmc]

So much for avoiding breeding with no nest or nesting materials...

Anyway. This just started, and as I'm a new finch owner, just need to know timelines. They were perfectly normal when I went off to feed horses. Come back, and I can't find Inara, until I looked in the feed bins... then of course she flew out. She has not returned, but I looked at her behind, and there's the shape of an egg. She's been fine, I think, they have a good diet of seeds, finch pellets, and veggies. They of course also have fresh water. They've refused the fruit I've offered, but are eating romaine, carrots, and broccoli. I haven't made up any eggfood but do have some eggs.

So, how long does a hen hold a visible egg before one should worry about being eggbound?

Also, should I worry that these two aren't hyperactive like my last batch? They have periods of activity, and Mal sings a lot, but they also spend a lot of time doing nothing, usually in the evening. Not fluffed up, just sitting together. They're quick to move around and talk if I approach the cage. Maybe they need to be in a warmer place? The room they're in stays around 70f.

Back to Inara... she's not going to get to keep the eggs. I'm just gettign used to having finches, I'm not ready to raise babies yet. Do they get upset if laid eggs are immediately removed?

[DanteD716]

I say take them out as she lays them, boil them and replace them. Mark them before you replace them so you know what is already boiled. This way she can sit and not get aggravated, but no chicks. Question, where are thye housed? In a barn? how cool! or am I just confused by horse and feedbin? lol

[jmc]

Yea, you're confused. They're housed in my living room. I don't live in a barn

I've made some eggs, and microwaved crushed shells. That'll help her lay the egg, right - if she eats it?

How long is it from the time an egg shape is visible to when she should have laid it?

[DanteD716]

Oh, okay, just re-read it and it sounded as if they were in a barn! Lol

The eggshells are good for calcium, and eggfood is also good for breeding birds

She probaly will pass the egg in the early morning.

[Lisa]

Lol, I confess by the sounds of it, I thought they were in a barn too! LOL

Keep a close eye on her, there's no telling how long it's already been there. If she starts to show distress, panting or sitting on the floor or down low for long periods. Usually they will pass the egg within a couple of hours. I would continue with the calcium boost via eggshells you are offering her. If she starts displaying panting, etc. then it's been recommended that a drop of liquid calcium to the beak can work wonders. If she does get into trouble, she can pass away very quickly so if you are worried, you may want to get started trying to locate a bottle now to have on hand. I have never had luck finding any in local pharmacies but others in other states have. Check vitamin aisles in particular. Keeping fingers crossed she passes the egg successfully.

By the way, what type of finch is Inara?

[jmc]

Inara is a zebra finch. I must be mistaken about the egg, as it's been a couple of days, no eggs, and she's bright and healthy, doing the demented pinball act around the cage at the moment . They're not really eating the eggfood or eggshells either, though I keep offering them.

I'll look for liquid calcium.