My bird is weak while laying eggs. When should I be concerned?

Most birds will lay one egg every other day. The condition is more common in smaller breeds, and can be more serious as well. Ideally, she should be examined by a veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. If one is unavailable right now, provide supplemental heat, about 90 F. Soak her for 20-30 minutes in a warm Epsom salt solution, enough to submerge her vent. Dry thoroughly then use a sterile lubricant (or vegetable oil) around the vent. Monitor for lethargy, straining or difficulty breathing. If she develops any of these symptoms, she should be seen at the nearest veterinary ER immediately. Be sure to feed a balanced diet and provide a cuttlebone or mineral block for additional calcium. Limit seeds and offer mainly a commercial pelleted diet (Harrison's, Lafeber, KayTee Exact or Pretty Bird) supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables.

It sounds as if your female may be sick and it would be best to bring her to a vet ASAP. It is possible she is exhausted from laying the eggs due to malnutrition, has an illness, or even has a stuck egg that is making her ill. Seeking veterinary care in person ASAP is best to try and get her feeling better. You may also need to separate her into a warm hospital cage until you can get to the vet to help make her more comfortable and reduce stress.

She could have another egg stuck in her, it's very common in birds and it is called being egg bound, you will need to take her to an avian vet specialist urgently otherwise she is not likely to survive.

Thanks for reaching out about Piper. You need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible even if not an avian veterinarian. Heat support can give aid but is not a treatment. Calcium deficiencies are common reasons for egg binding, but just giving oral medications won't be enough. You need to see a local veterinarian, even if this means an emergency visit today. Good luck.

3 hours without eating isn't a major concern, but if Pepper is continuing to worsen and isn't improving with home care, it sounds like she needs to be seen by a vet. Unfortunately, you already seem to be doing all of the at-home care that would help without further examination to determine what is going on with her. If she just laid the eggs, that is a stressor on the body so she could just be quiet and recovering from that, however if she doesn't perk back up, or seems to worsen, then trying to find a vet near you is best, even if they don't specifically see birds.

Thanks for reaching out about Liberty. There is the possibility of egg binding but they usually show clinical signs such as a swollen abdomen. An egg in the lower abdomen can place pressure on the nerves going to the legs, making standing or clenching difficult. Lower back problems, metabolic problems (liver, kidney) and tumors are also possibilities. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range could give assistance. If egg bound this long, the likelihood of the egg being adhered to the uterus is high, therefore medical management might be difficult but worth trying. Good luck.

thanks for reaching out about Rudy and including a photo. She should be seen by a veterinarian today if she hasn't laid an egg. By the time the ova leaves the ovary, it usually takes around 48 hours for place all the layers not he egg (yolk, albumen, membranes and shell). The shell is placed on the last 8 hours and the timing is so the egg is laid early in the morning. She should have laid the egg before dawn. You can try placing her in the warm steamy bathroom for 10-15 minutes to see if that helps to stimulate uteirne contractions and egg laying. If not she should really see a veterinarian today as there is a risk of the egg adhering to the uterine wall, and rising complications. Good luck.