BirdieNumNum
New member
Hi!
So this is an issue I was very worried about, and I did a bit of research on it and asked it in the forums. I thought I would compile everything together for anyone else who would be interested also
.
A bit of background information/explanation: Chronic egg-laying (excessive egg laying) depletes the hen's calcium stores, which makes it hard for her to contract her muscles and can lead to egg-binding due to her not being able to pass the egg.
Things you can do to discourage egg-laying:
- Less sunlight: Stimulates shorter days, which tells the bird that there is less time to tend to eggs and makes her less inclined to lay eggs.
- Remove "nesty" material: Anything that could be used to make or line a nest (soft stuff, fluffy stuff, etc.)
- Do not provide small, dark, spaces: Nothing that could resemble a nest or nesting box!
- If she has a mate, separate them: Lowers hormones and the urge to make a nest.
- Don't remove eggs right away: Removing them right away makes the female want to lay more eggs, letting her sit on them will decrease that urge.
- Rearrange toys and cage furniture: Birds are less likely to lay eggs in a changing environment.
- Lower temperatures (but don't freeze your birds!): Warm temperatures will make your bird want to breed.
- Do not pet on the back or under the wings: The bird's reproductive organs are there, and petting him/her there will stimulate breeding hormones.
Things you can do if your bird is already a chronic egg-layer or has other egg-laying problems:
- Lupron injections: Lowers hormones and softens eggs to make them easier to pass (Thanks Spiritbird!)
- Rub olive oil, vegetable oil, or mineral oil on her cloaca, and boil some water. Hold her above the pot (but don't cook her!) and the heat will make it easier for the egg to slide out (relaxed muscles, oil, etc.) (Thanks MikeyTN!)
- Have uterus surgically removed: If chronic egg-laying continues and your bird has serious health problems such as egg-binding, then this may be an option - talk to your vet. (However I don't know how safe it is.. has anyone here had this done?)
Important things during egg-laying season:
- Provide full spectrum light: Helps birds metabolize calcium.
- Provide cuttlebone and vitamins: Egg-laying depletes calcium stores and can lower your bird's health, so give your bird extra calcium and vitamins to compensate for what she is using to produce eggs.
I know there has to be more, so if anyone knows anything else do add!!
So this is an issue I was very worried about, and I did a bit of research on it and asked it in the forums. I thought I would compile everything together for anyone else who would be interested also
.A bit of background information/explanation: Chronic egg-laying (excessive egg laying) depletes the hen's calcium stores, which makes it hard for her to contract her muscles and can lead to egg-binding due to her not being able to pass the egg.
Things you can do to discourage egg-laying:
- Less sunlight: Stimulates shorter days, which tells the bird that there is less time to tend to eggs and makes her less inclined to lay eggs.
- Remove "nesty" material: Anything that could be used to make or line a nest (soft stuff, fluffy stuff, etc.)
- Do not provide small, dark, spaces: Nothing that could resemble a nest or nesting box!
- If she has a mate, separate them: Lowers hormones and the urge to make a nest.
- Don't remove eggs right away: Removing them right away makes the female want to lay more eggs, letting her sit on them will decrease that urge.
- Rearrange toys and cage furniture: Birds are less likely to lay eggs in a changing environment.
- Lower temperatures (but don't freeze your birds!): Warm temperatures will make your bird want to breed.
- Do not pet on the back or under the wings: The bird's reproductive organs are there, and petting him/her there will stimulate breeding hormones.
Things you can do if your bird is already a chronic egg-layer or has other egg-laying problems:
- Lupron injections: Lowers hormones and softens eggs to make them easier to pass (Thanks Spiritbird!)
- Rub olive oil, vegetable oil, or mineral oil on her cloaca, and boil some water. Hold her above the pot (but don't cook her!) and the heat will make it easier for the egg to slide out (relaxed muscles, oil, etc.) (Thanks MikeyTN!)
- Have uterus surgically removed: If chronic egg-laying continues and your bird has serious health problems such as egg-binding, then this may be an option - talk to your vet. (However I don't know how safe it is.. has anyone here had this done?)
Important things during egg-laying season:
- Provide full spectrum light: Helps birds metabolize calcium.
- Provide cuttlebone and vitamins: Egg-laying depletes calcium stores and can lower your bird's health, so give your bird extra calcium and vitamins to compensate for what she is using to produce eggs.
I know there has to be more, so if anyone knows anything else do add!!
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