egg laying problem

[jterr]

I have a young egg laying Umbrella Cockatoo that just keeps laying eggs.
How to stop her without breeding?
Is it harmful to her?
Thanks
JT

 

[IcyWolf]

Make sure she is getting plenty of calcium in her diet, producing eggs is pretty hard on them. Make sure there are no nesting materials in her cage or play area as well. They make fake eggs that you are supposed to be able to put in the cage with them to "trick" them into thinking they already have eggs, which keeps them from laying more, but I have never tried it myself to know how well it actually works.

 

[Pedro]

I have a young egg laying Umbrella Cockatoo that just keeps laying eggs.
How to stop her without breeding?
Is it harmful to her?
Thanks
JT

Yes it can be harmful if she is a chronic egg layer. As mentioned keep up the supply of calcium as she will need it.

I am guessing you have only 1 bird. If you keep removing the eggs as she lays them she can lay all the time to replace the lost eggs. It's best to let her lay a clutch & let her sit on the eggs for the duration of incubation approx 3 & 1/2 weeks. You can then throw out the eggs.

If she lays eggs all year round then i would think a visit to the Vet would be in order.

Now the way you handle her, if she is a cuddly hen & loves strokes & heavy petting, that will have to stop as it only stimulates her.

 

[Tabbiespice]

I would agree with the above.

If you keep removing the eggs she will lay more.
She will definitely need extra nutrients in her diet. Calcium for sure and other minerals and vitamins.
I would give the fake eggs a try but cockatoos are clever and she may not accept them.

Try not to give too much positive reinforcement of this behaviour as she may take it as a green light to continue laying.
I assume you have removed all nestings logs etc Remove any mirrors if you have them as well.
You could try a vet but they may suggest steroids which isnt a good idea (and might not even work anyway).

Hope this helps

Jackie
x

 

[BillsBirds]

There are many problems associated with egg laying. Calcium depletion is just one. I recently lost a parakeet due to a prolapsed cloaca. She tried to pass an egg, and wound up pushing out part of her insides. The vet put her on antibiotics, but, she died 4 days later. Do not treat this too lightly.