How long is too long?

[Nrg800]

My Scarlet-chested Parrot eggs were due to hatch this time last week, but they're still just eggs. The female does spend all her time in there and has been sitting on them. Should I assume it's a dud clutch remove the eggs and let them have another go? Or should I leave it for abit?

Painteds have hatched, though! Very ugly little birds when I last checked on them (Monday, when they were due to hatch).

[jusdeb]

I had the same problem a few weeks back with my Musks . Im probably wrong but I kinda think leave the birds alone and they will sort things out themselves .
In my case they must have smashed the eggs and either eaten them or thrown them out of the nest as there was no sign of any eggs remains anyhoo once they did this they laid again .

It would be a shame if you interfered and they were just about ready to hatch .

Ive found with other parrots that have laid big clutches were only a few hatch out that the parents took care of the dud eggs themselves also .

Good luck with it and try and be patient with them , it is their first attempt isn't it ? and its early days .

[Tintola]

Incubation for all neophemas is between 18 to 21 days, if she has been sitting longer than 23 days take the eggs out and give them the float test in warm water.
If they float and bob like a cork = no good.
If they just float one end up = could be good
If they sink = could be good
Put a torch behind them
If plenty of light coming through = no good
If small bubble at one end = could be good
She might not have started sitting properly on the day you think, there's nothing worse than breaking an egg to find a live chick near hatching.
If you are sure they are no good, break them anyway to see if they did have embryos in them.
She should lay again within two to three weeks.

[jusdeb]

Well there ya go ...Got me thinking now

Just out of curiosity ...is it not such a good idea to leave them in the nest ? (salmonella etc. ) .

And could leaving them in the nest encourage the parents to become egg eaters ?

I try to not interfere with my birds but is this one of those times where it is a necessity ?

[Nrg800]

Yep. They were all duds. Oh well, The female's back in the box already. I hope she's not too distraught.

[jusdeb]

Better luck this time NRG

[Diane]

give them the float test in warm water.

With egg shell being porous does the float test cause any problems if the eggs are found to be fertile and just need a bit more time?