"How Do I Stop My Bird Fom Laying Eggs? Controlling "Unwanted" Egg Laying

One of the most common problems we face in avian practice is the bird without a mate that begins egg-laying activity. People are surprised when this occurs the first time, because it is thought that a bird must be bred to lay eggs, which of course is untrue. Birds can be stimulated to lay eggs through several means. In the wild, the photo period (day/night cycle) plays a role as increasing daylight and shorter nights herald spring/summer. However, in our home environment, birds are exposed to perpetual "long days" as when it darkens outside, we turn on the inside lights, so that the bird cannot follow a natural cycle. Thus, they could undergo an egg-laying cycle at any time of the year. Other factors are also involved. The bird must be "comfortable"in its environment, and relatively free from stress, so that a cycle can begin. Significant changes could upset the cycle. Some form of stimulation appears to be involved, as well. The bird is prompted into sexual activity by the photo period, but other cues seem to get the cycle up and running. Birds are frequently seen stimulating themselves on toys/objects in the cage, perches, or on people in the household. The bird can be stimulated by other birds vocalizing in the home, or by gently petting the bird. So, it may take very little to stimulate a bird into egg laying activity.

In the normal situation, a bird will lay a clutch of 3-6 eggs, then sit on them until they hatch. On occasion, you may have the solitary bird lay eggs in a clutch and then sit on them as if they were fertile. This is why many people recommend leaving the eggs in the cage with the bird. More frequently, the bird lays one egg after another, usually ignoring the eggs that are laid. Should the eggs be left in or taken out? It depends upon the bird. If the bird "clutches" and sits on the eggs and does not lay any more while she sits on them (until she tires of this), leave them in. Removing the eggs to eliminate the stimulus usually does not work by itself. Other means must be undertaken to stop this activity.

Is this egg-laying dangerous for the bird? Absolutely! Excessive egg-laying can lead to calcium depletion resulting in egg-binding, weakness, fragile bones with a great risk of fracture, and seizures. It is essential during egg-laying in a bird that increased vitamins and especially calcium are added to the diet. If the bird is already on a balanced diet, the dangers are not as severe, however most birds are on unbalanced diets, so the stress of egg-laying can have grave consequences.

There are varying degrees of aggressiveness to stop egg laying, and I prefer to use conservative measures first. If these fail, then more involved steps are taken.

Initially, I recommend changing the photo period to simulate "winter" -- long nights and short days. That means placing the bird in complete darkness for 16 hours and daylight for 8 hours. This should be done for 2 weeks. A light cover is not enough -- it must be dark. Usually, placing the bird in a darkened room, away from the stimulations in the household, with a cover is adequate. Removal of stimulating toys/objects and mirrors are helpful. Do not physically stimulate the bird through petting. If you are stroking the bird and it is becoming responsive, then stop. If you have other birds, move them from earshot. Another idea is to change the surroundings of the bird by changing the cage around, or placing it in a new location to "throw her off" . These measures will work if strictly followed. You can institute them whenever the bird is showing sexual behavior; do not wait until the eggs have begun. These measures can also calm sexually aggressive birds -- both females and males, during their "cycle".

If these measures do not work, more aggressive hormonal therapy must be used. The hormone used is testosterone (the male sex hormone) or a synthetic testosterone to negate the effects of the female hormone and cease the egg-laying. It will also calm a sexually aggressive female, however, if the sex of the bird is unknown, you do not want to provide more testosterone to an already testosterone driven male. The testosterone is usually given by injection or added to the water. We have had great success with a synthetic testosterone derivative, Cheque Drops (used to keep female dogs from going into heat). It is safe and easily administered in the water or directly by mouth. The treatment period is usually 30 days, and can be instituted when sexual behavior begins, The drug is well tolerated by birds.

Some birds do not respond to any of the fore-mentioned techniques, so there is another drug that can be used -- a progesterone compound, Depo Provera. This drug is used for long term birth control and has been used in sexual offenders (chemical castration?) as it has an over-all calming effect. It is effective in stopping egg-laying and is used in quelling sexual aggression in birds -- males and females. However, there are side effects: increased water consumption and appetite, watery droppings, excess weight gain, lethargy, and, with repeated use, the risk of diabetes. Thus, this drug should be used cautiously. If used periodically, it is safe, but repeated, frequent use could lead to problems. Some practitioners are advocating the use of hormone impregnated implants. If all other measures fail, the last resort is a hysterectomy. It is difficult and dangerous to remove the ovary, so removal of the uterus is usually effective. The advantage is that with surgery, there will be no more eggs. However, as the ovary remains, the bird will still display sexual behavior. Also, there is always a risk when surgery is performed. The decision to undergo surgery should be done only in chronic problem egg laying.

Hopefully, these tips will stop a problem that could eventually be very dangerous for the bird.