Cockatiel question - egg laying

[raindrop]

How do I get my two female cockatiels to stop laying eggs and setting? They are 7 and 9 years old, and have done this for the past 2 years, but this year it has gone on for at least a months so far. I worry about their health, getting egg-bound, etc.

I have them in a large cage with newpaper over the wire bottom. I hate to take out he newspaper since the wire is such a pain to clean, but I will if that is the only way to get them to stop.

Silly girls.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Quote:
I'm having the same problem with my female...she has laid close to 30 eggs for the last few months!!...I've tried everything from moving her into another room and changing her cage toys, feeder and water around...nothing is working...so I'm just giving her extra vits in her water and hoping she stops soon!...I take the eggs and I have left some at times...nothing helps...Anyone has the right answers let me know...

 

[Katy]

I had that issue with my female too. I never could get her to quit and I know that's a reason she died. She wasn't egg bound, but I think she just wore herself out.

 

[arlee453]

Have you tried covering the cage at night? Like chickens, their egg laying is triggered somewhat by light. You might try covering the cage in the evening so that they don't get more than 12 hours of light per day.

Also, make sure they have a cuttlebone for calcium and have a high protein pellet, or if you are feeding just a seed diet, add boiled or scrambled egg as a treat, or try grinding up cat food in the blender to add to their feed for extra protein.

 

[raindrop]

Quote:
Thanks, covering the cage is a good idea.
They eat a pellet diet, small amount of seed daily for a treat, and a cooked rice/legume/veggie mixture. I will check the calcium content and supplement as needed. The protein is okay- both have kidney disease so can't tolerate high protein diets well.