Egg binding

Egg binding is an egg that the female bird is unable to expel due to various causes (egg too large, soft shell, etc). This problem is quite common in females who have a diet that is low in vitamins and calcium during their first egg or in birds that are chronic egg layers.

It should be noted that a female doesn't need a male around her for her to decide to lay! Species that are most at risk are the finches, canaries, parakeets, lovebirds and cockatiels. Actually, these tiny birds often lay several eggs at a time, sometimes every month, thereby gaining ''chronic'' status. Although there are species that are most at risk, no avian species is immune to this health problem.

The formation and laying of an egg causes increased energy demands on the body. Vitamin A, protein, calcium, fats, Vitamin E and selenium are the main elements that are required in large quantities. A well balanced diet is essential for any bird but even more so for egg laying females. You can check to see if your bird's diet is adequate by referring to our section on bird nutrition. Furthermore, if your female lays regularly, you can add a hard boiled egg including its shell, crushed into its diet in order to provide a calcium supplement. It is IMPERATIVE to NEVER give a raw egg or eggshell to your bird. During an egg binding, a couple of signs may be noticed. Sometimes, the bird may appear constipated (she forces and keeps her legs apart). You might notice smaller or larger bird droppings or lump in her abdomen may also appear. Among the first signs may be your bird's droppings become softer, and more abundant. A couple of days before you may notice that the droppings have a bad odor.

If your bird tries to expel the egg without any success, the situation becomes a medical emergency. The bird may become weakened, lethargic, have difficulty perching, stays at the bottom of her cage, eats less and has difficulty breathing. At this stage, her condition is critical and you should quickly consult a veterinarian.

During the examination, the veterinarian will check several physical aspects of your bird's health, such as its general condition, hydration, if there is the presence of an abdominal mass and the vascular condition of her legs, all that as to judge the severity of her state of health. In order to make a more precise diagnosis, the veterinarian may need to do certain tests such as X-rays, blood-work or even a fine needle aspiration in her abdomen. Depending on the condition evaluation and results of the tests, various options for treatment will be offered.

Certain treatments can be done at home while others will require a few days of hospitalization. To prevent a recurrence of egg binding, you must try to reduce the intensity and frequency of laying. There are various ways which can be tried, like reducing the photoperiod, avoiding certain actions that can be perceived as ''advances'' by your bird, preventing her from masturbating on you, removing the mirrors, etc. As a last resort, two medical solutions are possible; Lupron injections at regular intervals, or even sterilization, which is the most definitive in stopping the bird from laying eggs.