Need Help - Chronic Egg Layer

[MikeTV2000]

I have a 5 year old lovebird that has been a chronic layer for 2.5 years now. We have had a Avian VET over and he gave us advice of breaking the cycle with three days of light and using Releaves, changing up the cage internally and changing cage locations. That worked for the first year. After that it was being vigilant and not to promote behaviors that initiate a cycle. Now, regardless of what we are doing nothing will work. She has gotten used to all the various locations in the house, the 3 days light not working, etc... She is on her 5th egg this year and 8th since December. I am concerned about the Calcium loss and chances of binding. We feed her (please do not hate) straight standard mixed seeds with occasional millet. The reason I mention it is that she us using the seed as bedding material. The VET gave us Calcium Glubionate, but that has expired, plus reading some forums frown against it. I am unsure what to do next, would call the VET again but he recently passed.

 

[MikeTV2000]

In addition, we have a set of fake eggs that we replace the real egg with after a day or so. Personally, I do not think she is fooled.

 

[weco]

I don't know where you live, but you might want to find another local avian vet & discuss possibly using Lupron or Depo-Provera to stop the chronic egg laying.....

Anyway, here are several links that might be of interest: Excessive or Chronic Egg-laying in Birds: Causes, Effects, and Treatment

Egg Binding and Dystocia in Birds: Risks, Signs, Treatment, and Prevention

This article discusses using Lupron & Depo-Provera to stop hens from excessive/chronic egg laying: Bird Cage Outlet Bird Safety Article - Chronic Egg Laying

Good luck.....

 

[MikeTV2000]

Thank you for the advise. I need to get her onto a pellet diet for sure. I am surprised at one thing though. The Avian Vet that I had visited actually suggested the opposite advice that I read about regarding light\dark. He said put her in three days of constant light, whereas what I have been reading lately is exactly the opposite. Not only from the two posts in this thread, but other articles as well. I live in Chandler AZ. I will try the dark, finding a quite place though will be harder than it sounds.

I am still unsure if I should pursue a Calcium Liquid Supplement to place a couple mL into her water.

 

[weco]

You will want to watch her carefully, to make sure she is drinking, if you put any medication, prescribed or over the counter, in her water as some birds will stop drinking if their water tastes different than normal.....

Good luck.....

 

[MikeTV2000]

Thank you, drinking water is not an issue. In fact I am curious if excessive water drinking is normal with a Lovebird in egg laying mode. She drinks I would say 5-6 times as much as inactive periods.

 

[weco]

Though my birds do lay eggs from time to time, it does take extra water to produce eggs, so I would expect additional water consumption "in egg laying mode."

As to the use of liquid calcium in her water, it looks like your options are to make the decision to do it, find another avian vet and follow their direction or get some powdered calcium & sprinkle that on & mix it into moist foods, so it doesn't get knocked off.....

As to your "getting her on a pellet diet," you might have better luck with one of the various "chop recipes" that are posted around here.....

Again, good luck with your decisions.....