Owl Eggs

[Hilary]

At what point do I move the nest to the societies if she shows zero interest in brooding and I decide to go for chicks anyway? Six eggs, and she started laying about 7-8 days ago. The first two are already too old, aren't they? Like I need more birds, but everybody loves little owls....

Hilary

[Crystal]

They usually start brooding by the 3rd or 4th egg laid, but may wait until the clutch is complete; however, if a day or two has gone since that last egg is laid, I doubt she is going to lay any more very soon, so you could try transferring the eggs now.

Eggs remain viable for about 7 days before incubation starts. The first egg laid (8 days old) may be too old now, and the 2nd egg laid (if 7 days old) is pushing it.

Good luck!

[Hilary]

Thanks Crystal - I'll move it and see what happens. They've been an interesting pair. When I saw eggs (actually there were two) on the bottom of the cage I gave them a wicker nest and started it for them. She laid the rest of her clutch in the nest, but neither of them showed any interest at all in the nest itself (improvements, "checking it out") other than to use it to roost at night. We'll see if the eggs are even fertilized! At least you know yours are interested in each other!

Hilary

[Hilary]

Hmm. I moved the nest today and the societies took right over as expected. Unfortunately tonight they didn't try to keep the juvie spices out of the nest (I was hoping they would), so I have 5 adults in there with the eggs. I'll check in a couple of days and if the eggs are developing at all I guess I'll need to move the juvies to another cage for the duration - I would imagine that 5 adults would just squash anything that hatches! The nest is lined with coconut fiber and lots of feather so is pretty cushioned, but still.....

Question, though. I gave the societies Ronivet back in March when they raised the spices to avoid a repeat of when all of their own chicks died. If it looks like I'm getting owl chicks, should I give them another round of Ronivet or should the March dose be sufficient? I don't want to give it unless it's necessary - I don't like to overmedicate, plus they are bathing crazies and I end up with pink stuff all over the cage, walls, floor, ceiling.....

Hilary

[Crystal]

If you last treated in March, they are actually due for their second of 4 doses per year as recommended on the label.

I don't like to medicate unless it is necessary, either. In this case, however, it would be worth it to at least give you one less thing to worry about.

[Hilary]

Thanks Crystal! Ugh - I hate sticky pink stuff! Guess that means that everybody not recently quarantined also needs it - pink stuff everywhere!

Hilary