Is cuttlebone safe for my lovebird? What about egg-laying & health?

Birds require calcium for more than just egg laying. It strengthens bones, aids in enyzme and hormone function, muscle development, nerve transmission and certain metabolic processes among other biological functions. A cuttlebone or mineral block should always be available. Limit dehydrated fruits that can be high in sugar. Fresh fruits, vegetables and greens would be preferred. They should make up no more than 25% of the diet. Pellets should make up the majority of her diet at 75%. Fresh foods can make up the remaining 25%. Generally, anything good for you is good for her except for chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and avocado.

Thanks for reaching out about Peaches. Does the diet normally include any calcium sources, such as green vegetables? Calcium supplements do need to be kept within reason, as oversupplementation can lead to calcification of kidneys. Are the eggs soft? Photoperiod manipulation, removing nests, separating from mates, can all help to reduce egg laying. A veterinary visit is recommended as some hormones might help. Good luck.

If Peaches is laying eggs frequently and you don't want her to, then simply removing any nesting material can help prevent her from doing so. If she continues to lay eggs, you can just remove any laid eggs and make sure she has an extra calcium supplement in addition to a balanced diet to prevent egg binding. Egg food or cuttlebone can both be used to help supplement calcium. Covering at night greatly depends on your own sleep schedule. I've never hard of a set "hours of sleep" lovebirds need, but covering the cage at night when it gets dark, and removing the cover in the morning when you wake up should be fine and help ensure Peaches gets peaceful rest.

Female conures will lay eggs even in the absence of a male. Don't remove the eggs as this will cause her to continue laying. Provide a commercial pelleted diet (Harrison's, Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or Exact) supplemented with a fortified seed mix and fresh greens and vegetables. Place a cuttlebone or mineral block in her cage as well for extra calcium. Limit exposure to daylight and drop room temperature by a few degrees to get her out of egg laying mode. Leave the eggs in the cage for at least 2 weeks or until she loses interest in them. You can also replace the real eggs with "dummy" eggs. Find them in the Bird Section of the local Petco. The plucking can be caused by stress, boredom or infection (bacterial, fungal or parasites). Consider having her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian to diagnose and treat any underlying medical condition. The tail bobbing may indicate difficulty breathing which should also be addressed by your veterinarian. In the meantime, clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Use paper towels on the cage bottom and change them daily. Bathe or mist her with warm water to encourage preening and to promote healthy plumage. Provide a variety of toys and puzzle feeders as well as play time outside of the cage to keep her from plucking.

A single female will lay eggs even without a male as you've discovered. It should not harm her. Consider leaving the egg in the cage until she loses interest in it. Removing it too soon may trigger more egglaying. Offer a pelleted diet, fortified seed mix and a cuttlebone or mineral block to ensure she has adequate amounts of calcium in her diet.

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.

Feed a good quality pelleted diet (Harrison's, Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or Exact) supplemented with a fortified seed mix and fresh greens and vegetables. Provide a cuttlebone or mineral block. Always have fresh water available. Provide an appropriately sized nesting box and suitable nesting material (straw, Aspen shaving, shredded newspaper, etc.).