BIRD EMERGENCY - 911

[Asad12]

I need help as soon as possible, please.
I've had my pair of Blue and Golds Macaws for about 45 days now. I know that they are a pair sure. Lately, I've noticed that the female spends most of her time in the nest box. And now for 2 days, she rarely leaves the nest box. I am very concerned about her. I am not sure if she has eggs or not but I am sure she's doing this for a good reason. They also have became very skiddesh lately. before, they use to come near the fence of the aviary to take treats from me, but now they just either try to attack me or rush to the nest box.
Can I force the female out of the nest box to check if she has eggs? or this will do more damage?I hope I'm posting in the right place.
Thanks for any help.

[Jessalyn Eaton]

Hi there! I don't know a thing about this, but someone here will! I do know that another macaw here, Maple, recently laid her first egg. Sounds to me like she is getting ready to if she hasn't already. I do know that birds get really protective of their nests!

[Macawlvr]

Originally Posted by Asad12

Can I force the female out of the nest box to check if she has eggs? or this will do more damage?

Does their nest box have an inspection door? If not, I wouldn't bother her.

Even if the nest box does have an inspection door, you will probably have to wait until you see her out of the nest box to check it out for eggs.

It is quite normal for a breeding pair to be protective of their nest box and to be stand offish and even aggressive if they have eggs in the nest.

This is prime breeding season for macaws. From what you said in your post, that is what is going on. What you said about the female spending a lot of time in the nest box is also normal.

Do you plan on letting them breed to have baby's? Are you set up for that?

The more info you can give us, the better we can help and advise with your situation.

[Asad12]

Thanks for your responses.
The nest box has an inspection door but the female stays in for a long time and if she ever see me or even hear me coming she will rush back to the nest.
I even tried turning the lights off before going to the check on them but she manages to find her way back to the nest.
As for breeding them, I don't want to but I also don't want to stop them from doing something they want to do. I'm not worried about them having babies but their safety comes first. I know how to house and hand feed the babies if I ever needed to. I am afraid that she will get egg bound. I have a monitoring system in the aviary and I saw her come out once in 2 days. The male goes in the box about 2-3 times a day after eating.

[Michelle & Fids]

It sounds as though she could be on eggs. It might be best to take the nest box down if you don't plan on breeding them, the box being there will only encourage them to breed. Particularly if they weren't in the best of conditions, they could use time to build themselves back to better health. What do you have for bedding in the box?

[Asad12]

There are wood shavings in the nest box. I don't believe they are ready for breeding heath wise. I removing the nest box. But what do you recommend if I find eggs in there? Would it stress them out if I remove the box?

[Macawlvr]

Originally Posted by Asad12

There are wood shavings in the nest box. I don't believe they are ready for breeding heath wise. I removing the nest box. But what do you recommend if I find eggs in there? Would it stress them out if I remove the box?

To me, this is a tough call. It would be different if things had not "already progressed to this point". But since they already have..."me personally"...I would leave the nest box for now.

If there are eggs in the nest, which there probably is...and you remove the nest box, it will promote the female to want to lay another set of eggs. She might very well lay the next set of eggs whether the nest box is there or not.

Your concern seems to be with her health and what effects the egg production has on her. To keep the number of eggs 'to a minimum' that she produces is the main reason I would leave the nest box for now.
If she has eggs now, she will sit them. If they are taken away, she will lay more.

You can help with the calcium usage by feeding almonds...scraping a cuttle bone over their food. There is also calcium powder available that can be sprinkled over their food also.

Thanks for keeping us updated.

[2horse]

Originally Posted by Asad12

The male goes in the box about 2-3 times a day after eating.

I am guessing the male is feeding the hen. She is most probably coming out to drink and eliminate when you cant see.

At this point I would agree it is best to leave the box. There is a good chance any egg is not fertile if they young and or not well nourished. In the unlikely event she does hatch an egg maybe rather allow her to take care of the baby. The first day a chick does not often get fed, this does not mean you need to remove as they absorb the yolk at first. I don't breed macaws, my experience is mostly sun conures.

[Asad12]

Thank you all for your help.
I really didn't have no plans for this to happen. I didn't even know that it would be this quick. I only have them for about a month and a half. They were acting normal. I only go to the aviary once or twice a day to check on their food and water. I an monitoring the aviary more often now. I do believe that she sitting on eggs. I will take your advices in consideration. After this clutch, I will remove the box. I will keep you updated on what goes on.
Thanks again and I really appreciate all of your help.

[Asad12]

This is an update.
I had a chance to check the nest box today. I found 3 eggs in there. It was quite a struggle. I had to wait for 30 minutes hiding behind the nest box. I waited till she left the nest to drink water.
I am guessing that she's had the eggs for about 8-9 days. I'm thinking that it will be another 20 more days before they hatch, hopefully.