Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Double Yellow Head Amazon who just laid 5 eggs. (I just got the pair a few months ago) This is her second clutch with me. The male isn't going in and feeding her nearly as much as he did the last round. Lately, I've also noticed that she will come out, and eat the poop that has "dried" on the cage. I've read that is caused by vitamin deficiency. Since she doesn't come out much to eat, and he's not feeding like he use to... how can I be sure that she will get the vitamins she needs? If I sprinkle vitamins to their food, and she's not coming out to eat... will him eating it, and then feeding her be enough for her? Also, what kind of vitamin does she need?
Thanks alot.
Meeko's Mom

First did I understand correctly, two clutches in less than 5 months?? That is really dangerous for a bird. The male many times will not feed the female as well, the female can become very deficient in vitamins and can end up in really poor health. Please if she makes it through this clutch safely take out the nest box and leave it out for a year. Sometimes breeders will let their birds produce twice a year but that is usually when the bird is very healthy to begin with and even then not as close together as these two clutches have been! Extra vitamins on the food may help. Try to give a varied diet including lots of vitamin rich foods such as greens, sweet potatoes and squash, whole grain brown rice, etc. I don;t breed birds but I believe there is an egg rearing formula on the market that is supposed to be very vitamin rich you could get some of that to see if it helps. Get your female to a vet as soon as it is possible to make sure she is healthy. I realize you don't want to jeapordize the possibility of the eggs hatching and take her now but as soon as possible is really suggested.

Did the first clutch turn out okay (fertile, hatched and healthy)? If so then try to get the food as near the nest box as possible to see if she will get at least some on her own. If the first clutch there was already infertile if you are not expecting these to be fertile remove the eggs and get her to a vet.

Sorry if I sound a bit harsh but I think the health of the parent is more important than producing more clutches to get more money. I'm not saying you are like that but wanted to get the point across.