What should I do for my egg laying parakeet?

Question

I have a two year old bourke parakeet who has been laying eggs for awhile now. When she does there's normally three or four over as many days. At first, she didn't know what was going on and would lay from a pirch, so they would break on the bottom of the cage, but now she seems more aware and will sit on the bottom or in her dish to lay. She doesn't have a mate. This time, she's been sitting in the corner of her cage for hours. I don't think it's egg binding because she laid one yesterday, and I took her out to play a little and she wasn't lethargic. Is sitting on the bottom for over an hour normal, or should I call a vet? And does anyone have any recommendations for good calcium supplements? She's tiny any I just get worried when shes laying.

Answer 1

I'd call up the vet and ask over the phone what he suggests. A diet supplement can't hurt, for sure.

Answer 2

Egg laying is stressful on hens.  Excessive egg-laying is dangerous.  Egg binding and other laying-related complications are common, and often fatal.

If your bird is remaining on the cage bottom, in a corner, appears to be straining, and isn't actually sitting on eggs - you should be very concerned.  If this is the case, please do take her to the vet.  Here is a link to find avian vets in the US:

http://aav.org/vet-lookup/

In the meantime, make sure her cage is very quiet, safe and warm.  No drafts. Apply humidity. Put hot water into a very shallow pan, and set it in the cage drawer, under the grate.  note:  put the pan in first, and then pour in the water.  No more than 1/2 full.  Or you could offer her a shallow lukewarm/warm bath and see if she uses it.

If neither of those will work, use your bathroom.  Keep the door closed and turn it into a sauna.  Run the shower on the hottest temperature.  The bird must be kept in a secure carrier or cage - away from the water, and away from the floor.   I prefer the sink, with towels in the basin to level the surface.  A pet carrier lined with a towel works well, as will a small bird cage.  Remove food and anything else that shouldn't get wet.

This moisture and warmth helps to loosen muscles, remove blocking debris and lubricate the vent.  In addition, a small amount of mineral oil or vegetable oil can be applied very gently with a cotton swap or tissue, to the vent.

I caution you.  If she has an egg forming, you must not apply any kind of pressure to her body.  Handle her as little as possible, and give as much privacy as she needs.   Any kind of stress will take energy that she needs to pass the egg.

Best of luck to both of you:)