Chronic egg laying
Chronic egg laying is a maladaptive, behavioural disorder commonly seen in pet birds which repeatedly lay clutches of infertile eggs in the absence of a mate. It is particularly common in cockatiels, budgerigars, lovebirds, macaws and amazon parrots.[1] Birds exhibiting chronic egg laying behavior will frequently lay eggs one after the other without stopping to brood them once the typical clutch size for their particular species has been reached.[2] Excessive egg laying places a strain on the hen's body, depleting resources such as calcium, protein and vitamins from her body and may lead to conditions such as egg binding, osteoporosis, seizures, prolapse of the oviduct, or peritonitis – which may lead to her death.[3][2]
Causes
While a single specific cause is unknown, chronic egg laying is believed to be triggered by hormonal imbalances influenced by a series of external factors.
Treatment
Unlike cats, dogs and other pet mammals, parrots are not routinely neutered. While it is possible to spay a female parrot, it is a difficult and dangerous procedure that is seldom performed except in extreme circumstances.[6][2] Instead, treatment and prevention of chronic egg laying behavior involves behavioral modification and environmental changes.[3]
Such changes may include:[3]
- Shortening the parrot's perceived day length by putting her to bed early, giving her 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep[5]
- Denying her access to dark, enclosed spaces
- Separating her from any birds to which she appears to be bonded in a sexual manner
- Discouraging sexual behaviors from the bird towards humans or favored objects
- Regularly changing around the layout of her cage
- Permitting the bird to continue sitting on her eggs until she loses interest if she has already laid a clutch and then stopped
Hormonal treatment, such as injection of
References
- ^ a b c Rick, Axelson, DVM. "Chronic Egg Laying in Birds". VCA Hospitals. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c d Dr. Ellen, Boyd. "Unwanted Egg Laying in Pet Birds - Causes & Prevention". Animal House of Chicago. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d Hilary S, Stern, DVM. "Discouraging Breeding Behavior In Pet Birds". For The Birds. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "TREATMENT OF CHRONIC EGG LAYING". Yarmouth Veterinary Center. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ a b "Chronic Egg Laying in Pet Birds". Currumbin Valley Vet. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
- ^ "Ask Lafeber - Parrot reproducing". Lafeber Company. Retrieved 29 December 2020.