Is it okay if my birds mate while the female is laying eggs?

Thanks for reaching out about Fifi. Typically most bird will lay eggs 48 hours apart. The time from ovulation to egg laying is usually around 40 hours. As the ovum traverses the female reproductive tract, all the additional layers of the egg are deposited (albumen, shell membranes, shell). Birds usually lay in the early morning hours. Some birds will only lay one egg and can be normal. Some will lay 6-8 eggs and will potentially double clutch if the eggs are removed or destroyed. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Peaches. Most parrots lay eggs every 2 days to a certain clutch size (which can vary). So if laying an egg every other day for 4 eggs, that can be normal. If you removed the eggs after each one is posited, that can stimulate more egg laying. Laying this many eggs can be a problems if nutrition is poor as eggs require large amounts of calcium and other nutrients to form, and need to be replaced in the diet. Good luck.

That can be normal, yes. You can check the eggs when they are not sitting on them to see if they are viable - eggs that are fertile usually start off very translucent and then become more opaque (darker/more solid color) as the embryo develops inside. (12 days should be enough to see this change.) If the eggs don't seem viable, or the parents stop sitting on them, they can be removed. If they aren't hatched after 3-4 weeks, they are likely not viable and should be discarded. Make sure you offer an extra source of calcium for your female in the form of eggfood or a cuttlebone. This can help replenish the calcium that was used in making eggs and prevent egg-binding (an egg getting stuck) if she decides to lay more.

It is normal for captive birds to keep breeding even if they'd already laid a clutch, however if the male is harassing the female to the point where she's unable to lay on the eggs properly, or she seems stressed out, then separating them may be a good idea. If they seem OK, are eating and drinking normally, active, and able to sit on the eggs properly, then I would just keep an eye on them. it is a good idea to have some baby bird food and a syringe on hand in case the parents are unable to care for the babies. Young parents especially may have a harder time caring for their young, so stepping in with help may be needed.

If Fifi is acting weak or sick while trying to lay an egg she needs to be seen by an avian veterinarian. Egg binding is when a bird cannot normally pass her egg and can be a life threatening condition. Here is some more information https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/egg-binding-in-birds https://lafeber.com/vet/wp-content/uploads/Egg-laying-problems-Klaphake.pdf If you need to find an avian vet, start here https://www.aav.org/search/custom.asp?id=1803

Males can help sit on the eggs, or may offer food/support to the female so that she can still be fed and active. This is very normal behavior, and as long as both are taking care of themselves and the eggs and do not seem stressed out, I would not be worried. If the male is harassing the female to the point that she seems stressed, or can't get food or water, then separating the two for a time may be best.

Feed a good quality pelleted diet (Harrison's, Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or Exact) supplemented with a fortified seed mix and fresh greens and vegetables. Provide a cuttlebone or mineral block. Always have fresh water available. Provide an appropriately sized nesting box and suitable nesting material (straw, Aspen shaving, shredded newspaper, etc.).