How do I stop my Society's from breeding?

redtess · Post by **redtess** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:54 am

Okay, so I bought my pair with a knowledge they have produced 1 successful clutch and they had 11 eggs in the nest when I got them. The eggs didn't survive the transition to our home and a new cage.
Soon enough Mike & Mia were "at it again" and I now have a nest of 6 growing babies. The petstore said they would take this clutch back once they are weaned and are feeding themselves.
How do I stop Mike & Mia from breeding?
I have read conflicting things, from remove the nest, to they will lay eggs anywhere.
If I remove the nest, where will they sleep?
If I separate Mia and return her to the petstore, Mike will stop singing. (I do have 1 fledgling from the clutch that was reared in the petstore).
If I make/buy fake eggs to put in the nest, will Mia stop laying more eggs?
HELP!

Post by **Sally** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:16 pm

You could try the fake egg approach, but I think eventually she will realize they are never going to hatch and may start another clutch. The best way to stop breeding is to remove the nest. Societies aren't nearly as bad about laying eggs everywhere, like Zebras will do, so removing the nest usually brings the breeding to an end. You can also put them on more of an austerity diet, no egg food, cut back on the greens a little. After a while, you can then give them things like egg food as an occasional treat. The high protein, high fat foods trigger breeding instincts. Some people have kept nests in with their Societies by using those tube-shaped wicker nests--hang them with the opening facing down a little, and any eggs are supposed to roll out. I have not tried this myself. I had also read that keeping multiple Societies together would let you keep a nest in the cage, they'd all pile in the nest at night, but no egg laying. I put two pairs of Societies in a cage with one nest, somebody laid eggs, and they all piled in on the eggs together, sharing nesting duties, so I guess you would need to have a lot more than four for this method to work. I removed the nest from my Societies when I wanted them to rest (and stop). When I wanted them to be ready to be fosters, I put a nest back in, and within days, she was laying eggs, actually sooner than I was ready for them. Without a nest, they will cuddle together on a perch at night.

trevorama · Post by **trevorama** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:57 pm

My suggestion is remove the nest. Most birds sleep on perches in the wild and only build nests to breed. It may not stop her from laying entirely but at least will obstruct their efforts.

rottielover · Post by **rottielover** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 11:10 pm

Removal of the nest box worked great with my Society pair.

When I wanted them to try for a clutch, I put in a nest box (acutally my wife did it, but that's a whole other long story). Then when that clutch didnt' work out I removed the nest box so they could have a month to rest.

Then after a month I put a nest box back in the cage and viola, I have a clutch of Society's going right now. In fact I expect them to fledge tword the end of next week or sometime the week after, and they should be weaned by early Jan.

I plan to remove the nest right around the end of the month, so that mom and dad don't start another cluch too early. I want the babies to be "steady on their feet" first though ;)

redtess · Post by **redtess** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 8:43 am

THANK YOU everyone for your solid advice!

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:17 am

Societies aren't as anxious to breed as zebra finches are. I agree with everyone's advice about not providing a nest or any type of nest meterial. I wouldn't return Mia or Mike. I'm sure they are bonded and love each other. Also, if you are going to give the petstore the babies back, make sure they give you a little money b/c they'll sell them each for about $15-$20, so they are making a profit of about $100. So you should get something... seed for free, or money!

My societies love to breed. In fact this year they have raised four clutches of their own. However, currently they are fostering a mixed nest of other species babies and are doing a great job! They laid I think two or so of their own and I just kept adding eggs from other species b/c some of my other birds are horrible parents. But I adopt out all the babies. I don't have room for them and make sure they always go to great homes and I always tell the people I give them to that they are related and they can't let them breed with each other! I adopt them out for about $5 each. So I make $30 per clutch which pays for food and stuff...

Why are you not wanting them to breed? 11 eggs seems like an awful lot for one female to lay. Are you sure you don't have two females in the cage that are both laying eggs?

Societies will happily cuddle up on a perch at night though, so don't feel guilty about not provided a nest. They also sell those little deck things that they can sit on instead...

NaOH55 · Post by **NaOH55** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:54 pm

I'm not sure how well these things work yet, but what I plan to do after mine are done with this clutch is purchase one of those wire platforms, they look to be about 4"x5" and have the typical 1/4" spacing. The idea is that it provides enough support for roosting but not enough to be considered a nesting site. Here's the one I see at petsmart all the time:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... h&keepsr=1

Anyone out there use these? My only concern is they may just wind up being totally ignored.

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 4:34 am

That is exactly what I was talking about... they'll use it and all cuddle up on it. It is a great alternative to a nest.

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:14 pm

I use the wicker tube nests and they work great, but I worry about caught toes (had to untangle a badly caught albino hen today, in fact). I did buy a couple of nests from Connie Gahman in PA, and they're working out fine so far. Her husband makes them - they're made of wire and provide a place for them to all pile in, but without nesting materials any eggs just drop right out onto the cage floor. The girls caught on quickly and quit laying. They do fine without any nest at all, too, though, so don't disregard that idea!