Friday birdblogging: peppers and eggs

Typically when budgies (parakeets) have eggs, if it's not in a nesting box, chances are nothing is going to come of it and it ought to be removed from the cage. The egg has specific heat and humidity requirements that need to be met, and if she's not paying proper attention, even if it is fertile, it will die. I'd be more concerned with Celery's diet right now - be sure she's offered plenty of cuttle bone and mineral supplement as well as a good seed mix as her body is expending a great deal of energy and materials in egg production. Female birds do this sometimes (cockatiels, for example, are considered the chickens of the pet bird world), and it's really important to keep a close eye on her and make sure she doesn't become egg bound - a condition where she has an egg that she is unable to pass. If an egg were to break within her body, it would kill her. If at any time you suspect she might be experiencing this, get her to the vet ASAP. Give mango a try for a treat! My lovebird adores it, and becomes very excited whenever I slice into one. Anything spicy also thrills him - he tears into peppers of all kinds both fresh and dry with zeal. Raw corn on the cob cut into coins is also a lot of fun for birds. It has helped me in weaning baby conures because they love the sweet taste and interesting texture.

I've tried giving the birds fruit, but they never seem to like it -- they prefer veggies like spinach, broccoli, squash, and red peppers. I've never given them anything spicy. I'll try the corn idea -- that sounds like something my guys would like: they love anything that keeps them busy, like picking all the buds off a stalk of broccoli. And don't worry, Andrea: the birds eat better than I do. :->