It's bizarre for this to be happening because I didn't think this pair were bonded. They're flock buddies, that's all. A flock of two. All the info says that they need to have other pairs around in order to breed; they won't breed if they don't get along; they won't breed in midwinter (which it is now) and won't breed if the nest box isn't in the cage. And we've not changed anything here, this he has never laid any eggs and we've never seen them mate. But now she's ;laying eggs, they're acting like they're bonded.
I've copped flak for allowing this to happen, but because they fly free all day every day, I suspect if they were triggered into breeding, it was most likely the sound of the large flock of lorikeets outside which we've begun feeding in recent months. There were a few babies being fed right outside our window and I think the sound of the babies begging may have been the last straw. If I turf out the nest box (which happened to be kept in the same room as our birds' cage, not set up or anything) then I suspect this hen will simply find a pile of laundry somewhere to lay another clutch in. So rather than risk that, I figure now she's started laying, I may as well let her finish and hope she's OK. She is very fit and healthy, she flies a lot every day, the length of the house over and over.
I'll candle the eggs tomorrow when I get the chance and the birds leave the nest. The male would let me look, but the hen isn't hand-tame, she's very nervy.
From what I can understand, the only way to stop her now, would be to lock her in the cage all day every day until she stops being broody. But I know that would really upset her a lot, she's been flying free all day every day since she was a year old.
They're a worry...
Marg