Answer

Hello. You need to get that bad egg out immediately. You are right to be concerned. Damaged eggs can grow bacteria very quickly. Wash up thoroughly and use a hand sanitizer before handling the chick. You are going to have to remove him from the nest box, empty it, clean it out, replace with clean bedding and get the baby back in, all as quickly as possible. You can't let baby get chilled. You can get a small bowl and line it with a thick layer of paper towels to place baby in for the clean up. Get everything ready ahead of time so that his time out of the nest box will be minimal. If you are at all in doubt that you can keep him warm, you can put a sock of uncooked rice in the microware, heat it up and use it as a bowl warmer. Do not put it in the same bowl/nest where baby is. Put the small bowl into a larger bowl and wedge the warm rice sock between the bowls, then cover with a light, clean cloth to help baby stay warm. If you have space inside the cage for the temporary "incubator" that will be best because Mom and Dad are likely to have a hissy fit over you messing with baby anyway. If you do not have to remove him entirely from their presence, that will be best and less stressful for all. Be careful what you use to clean out the box. Hopefully the bad egg only contaminated the nesting material and it will all come out when you remove it. If it is a wooden nest box and if any of it soaked into the wood, about all you can safely clean it with is a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water then try to get as much of the cider smell wiped back out as possible. If it has soaked into the wood, the best possible choice would be to replace it with a new one but I realize that might not be possible. Anyway, the main thing is to get rid of that egg asap, and keep baby out of the nest the absolute minimum amount of time. I hope this helps but if not, or if you need anything further, just let me know. Patricia

Expert:	Patricia
Pos. Feedback:	99.9 %
Accepts:
Answered:	12/29/2007

Parrot C&onsultant

Published author, free lance bird behaviorist, adviser to the parrots at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.