Preventing new clutches

[Wombat kisses]

I've had a pair of zebra finches (1 male, 1 female) for almost 4 months. My female has laid 3 or 4 clutches. None have produced fertile eggs, which concerns me a little, although I am more concerned about her health as I've read that frequent egg-laying can take a toll. I removed the nest a week ago after discarding their last clutch of infertile eggs (it had been 20 days since they began incubating). I put the nest back in, however, after seeing her drop an egg while sitting on a perch. It made me feel sad for her, and I was already feeling bad that they didn't have a comfortable place to sleep. With the nest returned, she began laying again within 3 days.

My question is what is the best way to give her a rest from egg-laying? Since she had taken a month off to sit on her clutch, but after removing the nest released an egg anyway, it makes me wonder if I should have left the infertile eggs in the nest, because at least then she wasn't laying any more. I just want her to be healthy and happy.

For the record, I have been giving them hard boiled eggs as well as eggshells. They get them in separate dishes and they both will eat both...she especially loves the eggs, he especially loves the shells. I used to give them shredded apple, which they aren't interested in since I began giving them eggs. Also both are indifferent to broccoli.

I'd appreciate any suggestions and insight into this matter. Thank you in advance for sharing your wisdom!

[Sally]

It is really difficult to discourage Zebras (and other prolific breeders) from laying eggs. As long as there is a nest in the cage, she will continue laying eggs. You will have to remove the nest, they actually can sleep just fine on a perch. You also might want to cut back on the egg food for now, as the high protein content also stimulates breeding behavior. Cutting them back to a more plain diet (seed supplemented with a few veggies) for a bit may get them out of breeding mode. As far as the reason for infertile eggs, there could be several reasons. The male could either be past breeding age, or he could be so young that he hasn't quite figured out what to do, or the two birds simply could not be in sync with breeding mode.

Welcome to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it makes it easier for us to answer locale-specific questions later on.

[Wombat kisses]

Thank you Sally!

[debbie276]

Welcome to the forum
Absolutely agree with Sally

[lovezebs]

Wombat kisses

Hello, and welcome to the Forum.

My first question would be, do you want them to breed?

If the answer is 'no', then I would recommend removing the nest. Your girl, will lay the occasional egg, but will eventually cut back on the egg production. Some of these young ladies, go into egg laying mode, and start laying endless eggs , like a chicken.

As Sally, mentioned, I would cut back on feeding eggs to once a week for the time being. However, I would still offer some crushed egg shells and cuttle bone.

I would also offer a variety of greens along with their seed diet. Examples include, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, beet greens, broccoli, cucumber slices, grated carrot, baby spring greens mix, and red swiss chard.

Something that may take her Interest away from lying endless eggs, would be a foraging box. A Tupperware container, large enough for her and her mate. In it, you can place a bit of Timothy hay, some spray Millet crumbles, a few twigs, some wild grass seed heads, a few favorite seeds, some larger pieces of egg shell, a few rocks..... just some things for them to keep busy with. I would also provide a swing (if you don't already have one), and some fake greenery for them to fuss with (dollar store vines, ivy's, and so on).

Good luck

[Wombat kisses]

That's great info, lovezebs/Elana! I really appreciate your suggestions too, and how thorough you were.

[lovezebs]

Wombat kisses

Keep us updated as to how things work out.

[Wombat kisses]

Thank you Elana, I will!