When to remove unhatched budgies eggs?

Last Updated on November 14, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Your Budgies lay clusters of eggs, but they are unable to hatch?  You wonder! What should be done with unhatched or dead young eggs, especially in cases when the nest is likely to be used again? You want to remove the unhatched budgie eggs. Don’t worry! Just keep reading and learn when to remove it. It is recommended to wait for at least four weeks after the expected hatch date. Remember, it is illegal to remove a native bird’s nest while it is still active.

Unfortunately, there could be several reasons that budgies’ eggs are unable to hatch. You’ll want to consult with your avian vet to determine why.  It’s obvious to remove the dead eggs once you are sure these won’t hatch.

It is more humane to remove the dead eggs on time. Before incubation, a fertilized egg can be stored for a week at 12°C in a cool room.

The normal incubation period for hatching is around 3 to 4 weeks. But don’t remove the eggs too early. Count the days he has started to incubate the eggs. I’ve observed that eggs hatch between 15 to 29 days from the time budgies start incubating.

Reasons why your budgie eggs may not hatch:

• Infertility issues
• Physical damage to the eggshells
• Environmental factors
• Softshells due to lack of nutritional intake, especially calcium
• Females lay eggs, but there is no male to fertilize them
• Overcrowded cages may cause stressful conditions

How many days for budgie eggs to hatch?

Budgie eggs usually hatch after about  18 days of careful incubation. However, it’s crucial to understand that the exact timing can vary. If the eggs are fertile, it’s not unusual for them to hatch within a range of 18 to 23 days. 

Experts recommend exercising patience and waiting at least 24 to 26 days during incubation before considering the removal of any eggs that haven’t hatched. This waiting period allows ample time for potential hatchings and ensures that viable eggs get every chance to hatch successfully. 

If some eggs haven’t hatched by the end of this timeframe, they might be infertile or damaged. In such cases, it’s advisable to remove them promptly. This helps prevent the potential spread of disease and encourages the breeding pair to consider nesting again.

Will budgies sit on infertile eggs?

Certainly, budgies indeed exhibit a tendency to perch on infertile eggs. These birds showcase a robust maternal instinct, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the nesting process by sitting on infertile eggs for an extended duration. 

A noteworthy aspect is that the mother budgie usually persists in brooding until the last egg in the clutch has hatched. This implies that she may continue to incubate both fertile and infertile eggs until the entire hatching process is complete. 

Such behavior is a natural and integral part of the budgie breeding process, highlighting their dedicated approach to nurturing their offspring.

Why Should Unhatched Budgie Eggs Be Removed?
It becomes imperative to eliminate unhatched budgie eggs for several compelling reasons:

1. Disease Prevention: Unhatched eggs, if left untouched, can undergo spoilage, fostering the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. Clearing away these eggs is pivotal in upholding a pristine and healthful habitat for the budgies.
2. Promoting Re-nesting: Allowing unhatched eggs to linger in the nest might cause the breeding pair to persist in nurturing them, potentially hindering or delaying subsequent breeding attempts. The removal of unhatched eggs serves as a catalyst, prompting the pair to embark on a new breeding cycle.
3. Avoiding Abandonment Risks: Beyond a specific timeframe, typically spanning 24-28 days, the mother bird may lose interest in eggs that haven’t hatched. By promptly discarding these eggs, one prevents the mother from expending energy on eggs with no hatching prospects.
4. Adherence to Best Practices: It is a widely endorsed practice to dispose of unhatched eggs after a defined period, usually within 24-28 days. This not only safeguards the well-being of the budgies but also ensures the sustenance of a hygienic nesting environment in accordance with established standards.

People Also Ask:

What is the alternative way to hatch the eggs?

You have eggs in the nest but unfortunately, there is no female bird to do the job. You can try hatching yourself. Here’s a big idea just buy an incubator and hatching is your game now. You need an incubator and set its temperature up to 37°C and relative humidity to around 65%. And get happy, all is done.

Can I check if the egg is dead or alive?

Good news! Yes, you can check the egg’s capability to hatch or not. There is a technique used called candling.  In the modern era, you can use torchlight instead of candles.  

All you need to do is wear a glove (precautionary measure). Just hold the egg in your hand and expose the torchlight to the interior of the egg.

 If it’s well developed, you’ll be able to see the outline of the bird inside. Red veins are showing through, that’s a sign of a healthy egg. If all you can see is a shape without any red lines, the egg is a dead one. A dark room will help you with successful handling.

How to care for eggs for breeding birds?

First of all, provide a proper nesting box measuring 7.5 inches by 6.5 inches. You also need to maintain the temperature and humidity.

Make sure to remove the broken shells and bad eggs. You can incubate yourself by using the incubator to put off the burden from the female budgie and feed them yourself.

 Conclusion:

Your budgie keeps laying infertile eggs. You wish to remove the unhatched eggs. Just find the root cause.

Find! If your budgies aren’t ready to mate, there might be conditions that aren’t ideal or they’re kept in filthy cages, their eggs either won’t be viable or the parents won’t care for them correctly.

Your birds may simply be unhealthy and a trip to the avian vet is to see what could be wrong with them.

Thank you for reading the article. Hopefully, this article will help you in maintaining your budgies’ nest. Let us know about the queries related to this article in the comment section below.

Your response will be appreciated.