failed breeding

[sybille]

hi there, here's my problem: my 5-year-old conures have been regularly breeding for the past 2years and, again, this year, produced 7 eggs. however, the eggs never hatch and are always completely empty, like they were not even fertilized? Tim and Kaya were DNA tested, mating occurs frequently, they seem healthy,so it's been quite frustrating.Any adviceas to what could be wrongDo they need a different diet while breeding?

[patdbunny]

You say they "seem" healthy. Sometimes the male's got a little bug that effects his sperm count. Go get him vetted. Or switch him out with another male.

I have a pair of sun conures that were 3 yo last year. They laid 3 infertile clutches over 18 months before laying two fertile clutches. I was going to re-pair them if they got to 4 clutches infertile eggs.

If you're convinced he's healthy then I'd play musical husbands. If that's not an option, then you can let them keep trying until they're successful.

Where do you have them housed? Even if they're mating, if the surroundings are too disruptive they might not be completing the act and getting the eggs fertilized.

You can also try taking down the nest box for six months so she has no where to lay eggs and they can focus on the sex part. That's also good for the hen's body to replenish her calcium stores. Basically hitting the "restart" button.

Also, do you let her sit on the infertile eggs the full 30 days before you dispose of them? If you take them immediately when you figure out they're infertile (5 days after they're laid) sometimes she'll lay a new clutch before mating and fertilization, so basically their mating won't be in sync w/ egg production and laying.

[patdbunny]

I just got back from messing with one of my pairs and I have a few more thoughts for you.

How long are the male's toenails? If he has crazy sharp dragon nails that can interfere with successful breeding.

Do you have toys in there? Toys are ok, you just need to make sure the cage is not so cluttered that they can't successfully mate.

Are perches sturdy? Are perches too close to the sides of the cage so they can't get a good angle for mating and fertilization? I had a pair of ringnecks that always bred well for me. One year I changed out their food and water bowls w/ larger bowls and the first clutch of the year was infertile. It occurred to me the new food and water bowls were taking up too much floor space for that pair that liked to mate on the bottom of the cage. I like several sturdy perches of varying diameter at varying heights and then I like a shelf ledge in an upper corner so they have several places that are conducive to successful mating.

Diet - you should have a crazy good diet for them. What are you feeding?

[sybille]

thanks for the suggestions; interesting you mentioned the toenails; they are indeed pretty long, but I haven't noticed it interfering with mating. There are branches attached to the cage at different levels and they seem to have a particular "favourite" one they use for their romantic encounters several times a day.You also mentioned diet ; I feed them ,besides pellets, fruits and veggies daily( apples, carrots, bananas,,celery, cauliflower, melon,frozen berries),and most of any cooked foods I might have,like, potatoes, rice, pasta, lentils, beans ,etc. Unfortunately they are not keen on sprouts, nuts and stuff that's supposed to be good for them.
She still keeps laying eggs every 3 or 4 days even though she already went through 2 unsuccessful clutches( they never bothered with more than one clutch in the previous years). Should I just let her sit on them now to put a stop to the constant cycle of mating and egg-laying?

[patdbunny]

Even if they mate w/ him with long nails, you should cut his nails down. Kinda like us getting all into it and then our mate starts biting and clawing really hard and we say "OW! Get offa me you creep!" and the act doesn't get to fruition. Unless you like that sort of thing, but I think the birds don't tend to like that sorta thing.

It's a judgment call what you're going to do now. I always let my pairs sit on their eggs a full 30 days regardless of whether the eggs are any good.