Many parrot owners live in fear of the day that their pet bird will produce an egg. There are many concerns surrounding the reproductive process of companion birds. Owners fear that their parrot could become aggressive and protective of their eggs. Another, greater fear, is that the bird could become egg-bound and possibly die. Pet bird owners fear egg production because many of them do not understand the reproductive process of parrots.
Signs of Reproduction
Parrot owners and their birds usually have a routine; they know what to expect from each other and can tell when something is different. To this end, a parrot owner can usually tell when a companion bird is preparing for an egg. According to veterinarian and Bird Talk Magazine contributor Dr. Margaret A. Wissman, birds that are beginning egg production consume more water than normal, produce larger droppings and might resist leaving their cages. Parrots will also become more aggressive chewers, shredding and destroying toys, perches and even cage covers at an increased rate.
Clutch Size
Due to the large size of an egg in comparison to the mother, birds can produce and lay just one egg at a time. The number of eggs laid during a reproduction cycle, referred to as the clutch size, depends on the species of bird. Most pet birds lay between three and eight eggs in a clutch. There could be up to a five-day waiting period between each egg, according to wildlife journalist Gareth Huw Davies, who worked on the PBS series “The Life of Birds.”
Egg-binding
Egg-binding is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when a bird is unable to pass a fully formed egg. In a normal reproductive cycle, the egg forms and the bird produces hormones that cause the muscles and ligaments around the pelvis to relax, allowing the bones to separate slightly and the egg to pass. In an egg-bound hen (or female bird), this process is unsuccessful. The causes of egg-binding vary, but according to Dr. Wissman, they include obesity, poor nutrition, excessive egg laying, infection and muscular problems.
Signs of Distress
While it is normal for a parrot’s abdomen to look swollen when she is about to lay an egg, it is not normal for the bird to become distressed. Signs of distress in a parrot include excessive ruffling of feathers, sitting at the bottom of the cage, lethargy and straining. The Tailfeathers Network website explains that a straining bird will often exhibit signs of respiratory distress, like panting or heavy breathing. Clean the parrot’s cage and look for signs that the bird is not eating or expelling waste. An egg-bound bird may also lose function of one or both of its legs, though Dr. Wissman says this is a rare occurrence.
Treatment for Egg-binding
If there is even a small possibility that a parrot is egg-bound, it is imperative that the bird is taken to a veterinarian as soon as possible. To ease the burden on the hen, keep it warm to help relax the pelvic muscles. Never attempt to break the shell of the egg, the sharp edges could lacerate the bird and lead to excessive bleeding, infection or death. A veterinarian will confirm the egg binding through x-ray and treat the bird with drugs or surgery.
Prevention
For the majority of pet birds, egg laying is not a problem. Most single parrots, without a suitable male to stimulate the reproductive process, will never produce an egg. Those parrots that do produce a clutch will likely do so without incident. However, for the cautious bird owner, there are small steps that you can take to prevent the production of an egg.
Dr. Hilary S. Stern, of For the Birds, suggests limiting a bird’s exposure to daylight to six hours per day. Many birds are stimulated to reproduce as the days grow longer, so allowing your parrot to enjoy longer days may lead to egg production. Bonded birds should be separated and nesting areas should be removed. Dr. Stern also suggests rearranging cages often and even moving cages to different locations throughout a home. The longer a cage stays stationary, the more comfortable a bird will be producing an egg in the environment.
When in doubt about a pet bird’s health, whether for egg laying or any other change in behavior, always seek the advice of an avian veterinarian. A doctor can offer breed and bird specific information and advice. An avian veterinarian can also provide nutritional advice to keep an egg producing bird balanced and healthy.
Janine Logue - Logue is a freelance writer with several years experience in the newspaper industry as both a reporter and editor.
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