Sun Conure laying eggs/Egg binding? Help!

LupeTheSun

New member
May 30, 2014
1
0
MD
Parrots
Sun Conure
Please bear with me - this is going to be a long one, but I need advice/help desperately. Thank you in advance for your patience and for reading!

My father passed away suddenly about a month ago, and I have inherited his 16 year old Sun Conure, Lupe (pronounced Lu-pay). While I'm familiar with bird basics - I had a male budgie for about 6 years, years ago - I'm not too familiar with parrot species, aside from what I saw when I would visit my Dad or what he had told me over the years. I did quite a bit of reading on how to care for them immediately after bringing her home; however, I've already gotten a couple of curveballs thrown at me.

First, let me say that she was my Dad's baby. They were very bonded and she had never been the most friendly with me. I was very concerned bringing her home, but she warmed up to both me and my boyfriend very quickly - I was blown away, actually. She doesn't care much for my 5 year old son, which I can understand - he's likely a small, strange person that moves too fast and is too loud. She has actually already seemed to lay off on the habit of screaming every time I speak to him, so that's good. Ha.

I know (now) that we have overdone it on giving her affection and attention, though. My Dad's death has been a terrible shock, and it has helped me to put energy into caring for his babies (I inherited his 10 year old black lab as well - they are the only pets I have). When my Dad got her at 2 years old, he thought she was a male, that is until she laid an egg. Well, 4 days ago she laid an egg. I remembered my Dad saying that he just took it out when she laid them. I did the same after observing her and the egg laying on the bottom of the cage. She didn't seem concerned with it (I found it in the morning on the bottom of the cage - so I'm not sure at what point she had it during the night). I did all kinds of reading all over the internet about it - about making sure she had enough calcium, about how all the affection (petting anywhere aside from the head... I had no clue what this could mean to her!!!) likely encouraged it. I've been so worried about egg binding. I'm naturally an anxious person, so that doesn't make this any easier. 2 days ago, I was sure that I could see/feel another egg, so I've been watching her very closely, keeping in mind everything (oy) that I read - I did what I could to up her calcium intake - gave her scrambled eggs and eggshells (per what I read) and even some OJ fortified with calcium. Last night, I was already concerned that she hadn't had the egg yet. She started making the strangest sound, a sound that I have yet to hear come from her - she was acting super strange and I was convinced that she was in distress - she was all fluffed up and was twitching her wings strangely. So I took her out and laid down on the couch with her wrapped in a towel. I laid a heating pad (on low) on my stomach, and her and the towel on top so that I could keep an eye on her and give her some warmth. I hummed to her and she calmed down quite a bit - she was closing her eyes and twitching less. I called an emergency vet number to see what else I could do and while it was ringing I moved the towel enough to see that she had laid the egg. I hung up and afterwards she stayed there for a few minutes, checked the egg out with her beak and laid with it for awhile and then climbed out from under the towel, looking much more like herself again. She climbed up and preened me a bit and after a few minutes, flew back to her cage and went to bed. I left the egg in the bottom of her cage, where the other one had been - wondering if maybe I had taken the other one out too soon? I've read so much conflicting information on that... :confused:

This morning she seemed okay - though for a moment I was concerned about her favoring one foot. I did see her cleaning the other, so I thought maybe that was the issue. I also observed her toddling, climbing, and perching as usual... so I wasn't sure if I should be concerned. She still wasn't as vocal as usual though. Should I still be concerned? I know that they typically have 2-3 eggs in their clutch, but can have more. I'm curious as to how to know when she's done?? I'm at work right now and she's at home...

Here are some additional/possibly helpful facts about Lupe and our current situation for anyone that might have any input:

-My Dad used to provide her with a bed - sort of a hammock of fabric hanging on the side of her cage. When he passed, there wasn't one in there, and I seem to remember him saying something about taking it out, but I couldn't for the life of me remember why. Anyway, remembering this, we fashioned her one a few days after bringing her home from fabric that my Dad had, because I wanted her to be comfortable. I was concerned with the change in environment and the lack of his presence. Now I know that if I want to discourage the egg laying, that I should remove that, but I'm worried that I should wait until she is done with her clutch... is that correct, or no?

-She eats Zupreem pellets for medium sized birds. I also give her millet and dried mango/papaya treats. I've been trying different things from the list of recommended fruits, veggies, etc - but so far she only likes the apples and also peanut butter. I'm constantly replacing her water and she has a mineral block, but she hasn't really paid that any attention...

-She's currently in a smaller cage (18x18, I think?)- because of the situation with my father's passing, we took her in the cage that he used for traveling and for when he was cleaning her regular cage (it's at least 24x24) because it was most convenient at the time. We're going back to get her regular cage this weekend.

Any help, advice and input on the egg laying, what to look for as far as her being done with her clutch and her general care would be much appreciated! I want her to be taken care of as best as possible. I will be perusing the boards here for more information, too. Again, if you made it all the way through this, thank you so much for reading!
 
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Agapornis

New member
Oct 25, 2012
478
1
California
Parrots
Turquoise GCC - Fiji - Hatch Date: 8/14/12 and Yellow Sided GCC - Sundance - Hatch Date: 4/12/13
Hi Lupe the Sun! First of all, please accept my condolences on losing your Dad. He sounds like he was a very nice man. You did a wonderful thing, taking on your dad's 2 animal friends. I know you are out of your comfort zone with Lupe, but trust me, it will get easier!

You are on the right track, it sounds like you are doing everything right. My female conure hasn't laid an egg YET, but if and when she does, I'm going to take it out and replace it with a fake one. You can buy them online. They are supposed to keep a female from over-laying. As for the cage size, 24x24 doesnt sound very big...how much time does Lupe get to spend out of her cage?

98% of what i know about birds, i learned here on this forum. Everyone is super nice and helpful, so always feel free to ask questions! Oh, and we like pics, so I know i'm not the only one who is looking forward to seeing pics of Lupe!
 

MonicaMc

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2012
7,960
Media
2
43
Parrots
Mitred Conure - Charlie 1994;
Cockatiel - Casey 2001;
Wild Caught ARN - Sylphie 2013
Having her flighted and her getting daily flying sessions will help to keep her in shape, thus prevent egg binding.

Having her on a pelleted diet is already a great step!

You might try feeding her sprouted seeds. If she takes to eating those, then get out the food processor and toss in some cut up carrots. Chop fine, then add those to the sprouts. See if she eats them. If so, try throwing in another vegetable, and see if she eats those, too. Keep going in that fashion until she eats better! (one idea)

If you don't remove the triggers to egg laying and you remove the egg, then the hen will only replace the eggs. Sleep, lighting, cage, cage size, cage location, cage bedding, toys, perches, food, food dishes and other things can all contribute to a nesty hen!
 

riddick07

Well-known member
Dec 22, 2011
2,106
46
PA
Parrots
Blue & Gold Macaw (Titan) & Yellow Naped Amazon (Kelly)
I give my females red raspberry leaf in their water occasionally. It's supposed to help with egg binding issues. My female conure just laid 5 eggs recently and she was fine. I left the eggs to let her sit them. She's finally losing interest in them. My female is also flighted and fed a variety so that also helps out.
 
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