Pets laying eggs

One of the most common enquiries we get from pet bird owners is how to stop their bird from laying eggs. This is particularly common with cockatiels but many other species are also involved.

Firstly it should be remembered that egg laying is a natural function of being a hen. If she is fed properly she is unlikely to suffer any problems. If the diet is not adequate the dangers are egg-binding, prolapse and retaining the egg (possibly leading to egg peritonitis). All of these are potentially fatal. So good diet is very important.

The key nutritional issue is to ensure they have a good vitamin supplement and plenty of bio-available calcium. This is achieved by giving Daily Essentials (daily) and Calcivet once a week (twice a week for greys and eclectus). When she is laying increase the Calcivet to five times a week. Calcium will not stimulate egg laying but it will make it much safer. For help with selecting the best grade of Daily Essentials for you click here.

Whether you supplement in the food or the water depends on what the bird is eating. If it eats eggfoods or fruit and veggies we would use Daily Essentials3 and add that and the Calcivet to that food. If she is only eating dry seeds then we would use Daily Essentials1 and Calcivet in the drinking water. Aviclens in the water is a good idea to stop the germs growing. As a general rule I prefer on food supplements. Here is a link to the page that helps explain why.

If you still want to reduce the egg laying here are some tips:

1. Don't take the eggs away. Let her lay a clutch and sit on them. She will eventually get bored but while she is incubating she isn't laying.
2. Feed a relatively low protein diet. Protein is a breeder stimulant.
3. Shorten her day length by covering her cage or putting her in a dark room. Maximum 12 hours a day of light.
4. Don't make a fuss of her. Mutual preening makes you her sexual partner.

Above all don't panic. Egg laying is normal for hen birds. With adequate nutrition problems are incredibly unlikely .

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I don't know if you have a place on-line for publishing Healthy Bird success stories, but I have one for you, involving Calcivet. We've had a female cockatiel for a lot longer than we've known how to take care of birds! She loves to lay eggs, though she doesn't have a mate, and we haven't yet discovered anything to stop her. This particular time she laid 5 eggs, sat on them for 2 weeks, then started in again and laid 4 more. I had only just learned about Calcivet, in fact I had just received my very first bottle, and naturally, she hadn't had any of it yet (though she was devouring her cuttlebone!). One morning, she couldn't fly. She wouldn't eat or drink, and one of her wings was dragging. I immediately suspected calcium deficiency. I didn't know where to find an aviarian specialist at the time, but called a local vet that trims nails and wings. I made an appointment, but I was afraid she wouldn't make it that long. I took the Calcivet, concentrated, in a syringe and squirted it into her mouth. But the time I got to the vet, she had perked up considerably, to the point that I wasn't worried about her anymore. The vet gave her a calcium shot, and we continued with the Calcivet. She made a full, quick recovery. I've always believed that without the initial dose of Calcivet, she might not have made it. Needless to say, I'm sold on the stuff, along with all of the other Healthy Bird products!

Again, thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Lyn Chaffart
Ontario, Canada