My parakeet keeps laying eggs. How to stop it and keep her healthy?

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear that LemonBerry has been chronically egg laying. When cockatiels get into egg laying cycles, it can be difficult to stop without medical intervention. It can also lead to secondary problems such as depleted calcium stores. I worry this may be occurring with her weakness. I'd recommend getting LemonBerry in to see a veterinarian that treats birds. Sometimes medication or surgery is needed to solve this problem. In the mean time, I would make sure that she is eating a formulated pellet diet and has access to calcium chews like a cuttlebone. I would also recommend continuous bright light exposure for a few days to try to reset her circadian rhythm. I do like this article written by a veterinarian: https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com/chronic-egg-laying-what-you-can-do/ I hope this helps. Thanks for using PetCoach. Best of luck to you and LemonBerry.

Thanks for reaching out about Jojo. There are several things that can be done in an attempt to encourage her to lay fewer eggs. A veterinary visit is recommended as soon as possible to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan, especially if she almost died last time. A review of diet and husbandry with an avian veterinarian is recommended at this time. At home, remove all items that she could perceive as a mate (mirrors, toys, etc.). If she is handleable, stop petting her, especially along the back, as this can stimulate reproduction. Photoperiod manipulation, as she needs 14-16 hours of dark, quiet sleep time, undisturbed. Lastly, there are a few hormones that an avian experienced veterinarian can discuss. Good luck.

Laying so many clutches of eggs and raising that many chicks can be taxing on a bird. Ideally, a breeding hen should have no more than two clutches per calendar year. Remove the remaining chicks from the cage if they are eating on their own. Remove the nesting box as well. Separate the male and female. Drop room temperature by a few degrees and gradually limit her amount of daylight she is getting. This may get her out of "breeding mode" and stop her egg laying. She should be seen by an experienced avian veterinarian to make sure the inflammation around her vent is not infection.

It is possible the stress of chronic egg laying may be affecting her appearance and feathers. Remove any nesting boxes in the cage. If she's laying in the seed bowl, use a smaller container that she cannot sit in. Limit Camille's exposure to daylight to 8 hours or less. Use a dark cage cover or sheet to block light if necessary. Use a calcium fortified seed mix. Leave the fake eggs in the cage for at least 4 weeks.

Thanks for reaching out about Luna. For most birds to lay eggs, there needs to be adequate nutrition. Limiting the diet of calories could decrease the chances of laying eggs, but you don't want to starve her. Taking away anything perceived as a nest or nesting material. Manipulation of photoperiod, shortening exposure to light can decrease hormones. Ideally, placing her in an environment with 8 hours of light and 14 -16 hours of dark, can decrease egg laying. Removing anything she perceives as a mate (toy, etc.). Many avian veterinarians have the capabilities of administering hormones that could temporarily stop egg laying. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out abut Kylea. Even though most birds can lay between 4-6 eggs, that is only an average/ Some lay more, some less. She might be done this time. Be careful on how often you allow her to lay and raise young, as the energy expenditure is immense. Assessment of diet to ensure good nutritional intake to counterbalance energy loss. Seed is not enough. If concerned, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.

My condolences on the loss of your male budgie. Do not throw the egg away without replacing it. This may spur her to lay more. You can replace the egg(s) with dummy eggs. Find them in the Avian section of the local Petco. Leave the dummy eggs in the nest box for 2-3 weeks, then remove one every few days until none remain. Hens will lay eggs regardless of whether or not they mate. To stop egg laying, limit exposure to daylight (use a cage cover or move them away from windows, light sources, etc.) and lower room temperature by a few degrees. To prevent mating, you will need to separate males from females.