"amy"  wrote in message
news:1108593758.352792.23110{at}c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> My dusty cap conure (some say paracheet), Crocus, is sitting on two
> eggs. She has a Sun Conure as a mate and I had a glimmer of hope that
> the eggs would be fertilized. Alas, I don't think they are and she is
> the most dilligent mommy! Knowing she is working so hard and there are
> no babies coming is heartbreaking to me.I would love to give her the
> experience of raising a baby. I live in NYC and would travel an hour or
> more in any direction to pick the egg up. I have three birds, all a
> re flighted and enjoy lots of attention and freedom. If anyone has an
> egg they can't keep (even another kind of bird) I would be interested
> in taking it for her to raise.

If you should find such a donor, there are some problems to confront:

1.  A freshly laid egg has a shelf life of about 10+ or - days if kept in
the refrigerator at about 56 degrees and wrapped to prevent moisture loss.
It must have been handled carefully, not shaken, etc.
2.  An egg that has begun to incubate will need to be carefully transported
at 99.5 degrees.
3.  A bird that has been sitting for a couple of weeks will probably give up
within a fairly short time after her incubation period is up, even if there
is a live chick developing in the egg she is sitting on.  It's her timer
that determines her sitting time.

I don't know if the two birds you have are able to cross-breed, but if they
are, don't give up hope.  I don't recall having success on a first-time
clutch, although I'm sure it happens.  The insemination part takes practice.
It's funny to watch a pair trying to get it right.

I personally would not do this for one reason only.  In a closed aviary,
bringing in an egg may be bringing in "God knows what" in terms of disease.

--
Sincerely,
Joanne

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