My female bird is laying eggs. What care and feeding tips do I need?

Provide a fortified seed mix as well as a pelleted diet (Harrison's, Pretty Bird, Lafeber or KayTee Exact). A cuttlebone or mineral block should also be placed in the cage. Enough nesting material should also be available to cushion and protect the eggs.

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.

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.

You should just continue to feed your budgie a balanced diet that is designed for budgies. While spinach is a great treat, it should not be used as the main diet. If you are concerned about your budgie getting enough nutrients, you can add in some crushed oyster shells or a cuttle bone for calcium, or include some egg-food (a treat found at most pet stores) to help boost nutrition post-egg laying.

Thanks for reaching out about Sweety. Boiled rice is not a healthy diet, although small amounts won't do harm. Calcium and protein is very important for birds in general, but more so when laying eggs. Green (and yellow, red, orange) vegetables, avian pellets and cooked beans as a protein source should be offered. Not sure if or when will lay eggs but continue to monitor. Good luck.

For a complete and balanced diet for your parakeet she needs to eat more than just seeds. I would recommend giving her a high quality pelleted food (like Harrison's or Zupreme) and then supplementing with fresh fruits and veggies. Seeds should be given rarely and only in small amounts. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Elly. Start out with a good nutrition, including a wide variety of vegetables, plant proteins (beans, legumes) and some seeds. A nesting site needs to be provided. For most birds to breed, nutrition must be good, the nest needs to feel safe and a mate needs to be received. Most birds breed in spring, stimulated by lengthening photoperiod. Good luck.