Senegal laid first egg at age 19, has not been "normal" since

[Grunsony]

We need help. Our Senegal, 19 years old, acquired at age 5 weeks, whom we had assumed was male, laid a first egg about 5 weeks ago. It fell to the floor of the cage and cracked. We perhaps mistakenly disposed of it. Since then the bird, who normally leaves her cage in the morning and doesn't return to it except to sleep, has spent most of the time in the cage, in a drooped rather than upright position, awkwardly curled around the perch. Sometimes during the night she has fallen off her perch (We've put a thick cushion on the floor to shorten and cushion the falls.) Her eating habits have been changed and not steady. Otherwise she seems in good health, flies well (when he does), has pretty normal droppings, etc. A vet--with some competence with birds--checked her over about 2 weeks ago, prescribed calcium supplements and cider vinegar in his water. She seems a little better some days but still not her constantly interactive self. Almost as if she's still suffering from the trauma of the egg-laying. What can we do to restore our
little girl, whom we love so dearly?

IS EGG BINDING AFTER 6 WEEKS POSSIBLE?

 

[crimson]

welcome to the forum.
the symptoms after her egg laying is an indication something is still not right.

a re-check with an Avian vet would be best.

 

[thekarens]

I agree with Beth. Egg binding is always a concern with female birds. I'd have her checked again with an avian specialist.

 

[mtdoramike]

I have never heard of putting cider vinegar in a birds water. I would get a second opinion on that one. I would give her time, it was probably a traumatic experience for her.

 

[labell]

Apple cider vinegar is used if a mild fungal infection is suspected but I am not sure if it helps after egg laying. If she only laid one there is a very good chance she could be egg bound with a second egg. Does her backside look like it is rounder or extended? I agree with the others and would find a vet that specializes in birds. Egg laying and egg binding can be a fatal situation so as soon as you can get the all clear from a vet the better.

 

[Kiwibird]

Given the situation, I would also seek a second opinion from an actual avian vet. Healthy female birds may lay infertile eggs, but they don't become lethargic, unbalanced and don't eat well for weeks afterwards. Get a second opinion. Hope she's ok.

 

[H2O]

It's spring time most animals have babys around this time of the year last night was full moon cats dogs singing all night in the neighborhood my maccaws layed 4 eggs in the last 4 weeks they got super protective over the eggs won't come out to play now they full parents . I just got my birds in the fall of 2013 so I'm not sure how to handle this whole thing but I'm sure they know what they doing so I'm gonna let nature do its thing and just make sure they have a lot of none gmo food rich in calcium and see what happens

 

[Grunsony]

I agree with Beth. Egg binding is always a concern with female birds. I'd have her checked again with an avian specialist.

Thanks to all who replied so promptly. Alas there is no avian vet within 80 miles an harsh winter has impaired us (we're in our 70s). On the egg binding issue, the vet we did consult examined her thoroughly and saw no evidence of a bound egg. He indicated also that if there were still an egg in her after what is now more than six weeks, she'd be dead.We don't know enough about egg binding to assess that. One other factor: she has been chewing furiously away at the rope transeversals in the cage.
Any further insights? Many thanks.

 

[RavensGryf]

I have a male Red Bellied (sexually dimorphic) who I've had 19 years also! Gosh, the only mature birds I've had we're males. Thankfully you do have a lot of people here experienced in what to do with female issues. I wish you all the best.

Robin was prescribed ACV in his water for yeast (in feces). Hubby USED TO give him too much bread products!