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My lovebird lays eggs. Is too much calcium supplement dangerous?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female | unspayed

I have a pet lovebird named peaches. I mixed crushed oyster shells, cuttlefishbone power and supplement calcium because she was laying eggs every two months, i gave her supplement calcium and mixed it with crushed oyster shells and cuttlefishbone powder. you think that supplement bird calcium will harm or kill her since too much calcium is no good. she stopped laying her eggs every two months, she is laying every four months. is it alright to give her a bird calcium supplement, is it safe?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Todd Cecil

Veterinarian

Published on July 23rd, 2019

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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 23rd, 2019
Like I stated yesterday it is best to give a bird supplement. It is not harmful to give cuttlefish bone/oyster shells but you cannot control the dosing and how much calcium she is actually getting. Is there a reason you are against buying the bird supplement?

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1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Andrea
Veterinarian
Published on November 4th, 2018
You are definitely right to give Peaches extra calcium. Crushed oyster shells, egg shells baked and crumbled, almonds and grated calcium block all are good calcium sources. But I would urge you to talk to your vet about ways to decrease the egg laying, as this increases her chances of weakened bones and dangerous infections.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jessica Desrosiers
Veterinary Technician
Published on May 12th, 2018
As long as Peaches is already on a regularly balanced diet, you shouldn't need to give that many calcium supplements. One thing on its own in addition to her regular food should be more than enough.

You can also scramble some eggs at home and mix it with a little flour into a paste and offer small amounts to Peaches if you wish to avoid feeding commercial brands that contain sugar or extra ingredients.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

How much calcium does my lovebird need, especially when laying 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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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My lovebird laid 5 eggs. Is this normal clutch size? Is calcium safe?

You can over supplement calcium so be careful. Use a supplement made for birds and follow the instructions on the bottle. ( https://www.arcatapet.com/item.cfm?cat=24044 ) Normal clutch size is 4-6 eggs.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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Is daily calcium supplementation too much for my bird's diet?

Too much calcium COULD cause a concern, but maybe taking an occasional blood sample to measure circulating calcium, would be a good idea. This might indicate over supplementation of calcium. Normally birds regulate calcium absorption through the intestines and supplementation is not a problem. Monitor defecation and urination. Keep in contact with your veterinarian. Good luck.

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My cockatiel laid many eggs. Was removing them right for her health?

Removing the nest and current eggs won't replenish any currently lost calcium, but it may discourage Phoebe from laying more. If she doesn't have a mate, the eggs aren't viable and should be removed anyway. If you suspect she may lay more eggs, adding in a calcium supplement such as oyster shells or a cuttlebone (you can also use cooked eggfood, there are lots of recipes online) can help replenish calcium in addition to feeding her regular diet.

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My lovebird keeps laying eggs. Is this normal? What should I do?

That is a lot of eggs and very spread out for a viable clutch. If none of the early ones have hatched they are likely not viable and should be removed from the nest. If you are not looking to breed or raise babies, removing the nest can help prevent additional egg laying. Make sure you are also providing a calcium supplement in addition to Peaches' regular food to help replenish the nutrients from laying so many eggs!

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Is my lovebird a chronic egg layer? When should I cover her cage?

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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

Cuttlebone should be fine to give as most birds will self-limit when chewing on it, and if she is actively laying eggs it will help ensure she has enough calcium to form and safely lay them. She should be fine with only the cuttlebone and a balanced lovebird diet without needing to add additional calcium supplements. A lot of the controversy comes with grit style calcium supplements, which can sometimes cause obstructions in the crop. If you do not wish to have her lay eggs, removing any nesting material can help stop this behavior. Otherwise, just removing any eggs that are laid is fine. Respiratory disease usually will present with signs and symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, discharge from the nose, lethargy, heavy breathing, etc. If you suspect this is a problem, first ensuring the cage is kept clean, well-ventilated and that any bedding isn't kicking up dust is best, as well as scheduling a veterinary exam to rule out any other health issues.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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