Help - I dont want any more babies right now!

[Vera]

Sorry if I seem to monopolize this board but I have yet another question!

I just got my society finches the end of February. The female laid three egs that never hatched because the nest fell down. Then she laid six more eggs that are now six weeks old juveniles, all beautiful. I am keeping two and four are going to the pet store tomorrow. Lo and behold she is laying again. I took out the nest after the six left it, there is no nesting material, but she is trying to lay in a small empty seed cup. The first egg fell between the wire on the bottom of the cage, but I know there will be more. I dont want her laying any more eggs, one I dont want any more babies right now, and two I am concerned for her health. She is probably still under a year old. Any suggestions!

[Sally]

It is difficult to stop hens laying when they are either Societies or Zebras, as those two species are like the rabbits of the finch world! One thing you can do is get some fake eggs. Let her go ahead and lay a clutch, and then switch them out for the fake ones. This will keep her occupied for quite a while. Also, cut back on the amount of high-protein food that she gets, such as egg food, as that stimulates egg laying.

[Vera]

It is difficult to stop hens laying when they are either Societies or Zebras, as those two species are like the rabbits of the finch world! One thing you can do is get some fake eggs. Let her go ahead and lay a clutch, and then switch them out for the fake ones. This will keep her occupied for quite a while. Also, cut back on the amount of high-protein food that she gets, such as egg food, as that stimulates egg laying.

Thank you! She did get alot of egg when she was nesting. I will cut back on that. (I dont know if it was my imagination but it looked like she was trying to get the egg that fell through the bars? I dont think I can get fake eggs around here would marbles work?

[Zebrafincher]

I keep an all male colony (3 finches) because it was so hard to keep losing females to egg binding. No eggs or babies. My two finches love (and fight!) eachother, but its OK.

Zebrafincher

Proud Owner of
*”Merl” Merlin – Starfinch – Very old starfinch, can’t fly, has deep relationship with own reflection!
*Beaky “Beakster” – Gray Zebbie, Bossy Boots, into everything. Naughty little Boy!
*Itchy – “The Flying Golfball” – White Zebbie, Sweet little Boy!

[Vera]

I keep an all male colony (3 finches) because it was so hard to keep losing females to egg binding. No eggs or babies. My two finches love (and fight!) eachother, but its OK.

Zebrafincher

Proud Owner of
*”Merl” Merlin – Starfinch – Very old starfinch, can’t fly, has deep relationship with own reflection!
*Beaky “Beakster” – Gray Zebbie, Bossy Boots, into everything. Naughty little Boy!
*Itchy – “The Flying Golfball” – White Zebbie, Sweet little Boy!

I could separate them but I dont know what sex the juveniles are yet - I guess I will have to keep an eye on them and see if I can figure that out.

[Babs _Owner]

Vera

Please make sure you hen has plenty of calcium (crushed egg shells without the boiled egg) to keep her from being eggbound.

You can order fake plastic finch eggs online for under 5 dollars. Swap them and she will sit on the fake eggs for quite a long time, just like Sally mentioned. She wont breed wile she is broody on fake eggs.

Ive had my societies sit on fake eggs for two months. Their boyfriends will sit right with them.

PS. marbles probably wont work.

[Vera]

Vera

Please make sure you hen has plenty of calcium (crushed egg shells without the boiled egg) to keep her from being eggbound.

You can order fake plastic finch eggs online for under 5 dollars. Swap them and she will sit on the fake eggs for quite a long time, just like Sally mentioned. She wont breed wile she is broody on fake eggs.

Ive had my societies sit on fake eggs for two months. Their boyfriends will sit right with them.

PS. marbles probably wont work.

Thank you. I have a small cup of crushed oyster shell in the cage. Is that enough? They were all getting boiled egg with the shell ground up and mixed in while she was brooding and feeding the babies but I read that now that the babies are juveniles they should only have that twice a week? If I just ground up regular egg shell should I sprinkle it over the food or what would be the best way to give that to her?

[paul-inAZ]

I just put crushed egg shell on top of their food.
Maybe cut way back or eliminate egg food and go to nothing but basic seed so she will lose interest in breeding.