Can I switch eggs among pairs

[irfanlai]

I have 2 pairs of parakeets and both have laid eggs. One mom is incubating her eggs but the other one does like 50% of the time and most of the time she is out with her mate.
I am thinking of moving couple of eggs to the one who is incubating well. What do you folks suggest?
Can I move all or just 1-2?

[maxollie]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Sometimes, hens don't get real serious about setting on the eggs until later in the cycle. It takes 21-25 days for the eggs to hatch. Quite honestly, I would be worried the other hen may break them. And also, it could throw the real mom into a frenzie without them. So, if it were me, I would trust nature and let the hens both have their own eggs. I believe both hens will succeed.

[irfanlai]

Hi, and welcome to the forum. Sometimes, hens don't get real serious about setting on the eggs until later in the cycle. It takes 21-25 days for the eggs to hatch. Quite honestly, I would be worried the other hen may break them. And also, it could throw the real mom into a frenzie without them. So, if it were me, I would trust nature and let the hens both have their own eggs. I believe both hens will succeed.

You were correct. After I moved 2 eggs from the mommy bird who was sitting like 50%, she totally stopped and does not even go in the nest box. So you are correct.

[maxollie]

I would move those eggs back immediately. She may decide to set on them. You must put the box and the eggs exactly as they were before you removed the eggs. You might get lucky and have success of those eggs hatching.