EGG LAYING BEHAVIORS & PROBLEMS
Part II: NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF EGG LAYING HENS
COPYRIGHT © 2000 BY LINDA S. RUBIN
First published in the October 2000 issue of BIRD TIMES Magazine
At this time of year, many readers send in letters inquiring how to prevent their pet cockatiel
hen from continuous bouts of egg laying. This subject ties in well with our discussion of the
cockatiel’s breeding cycle. Because over production of eggs in pet cockatiels is a common
problem, we’ll first examine how to cope with egg-laying hens that have gone out of control.
There are essentially three types of egg-production in cockatiels that you will encounter. The
first type of activity involves the planned, intentional hobby breeding of cockatiels to produce
healthy offspring. The second type of egg-production is typically a complete surprise to the
owner and involves the unexpected appearance of eggs – that may or not be fertile - by
determined, opposite sex mates eager to raise young. Finally, the third type of egg production
results from the determined action of a single hen to produce eggs regardless of whether she
bonds with another bird, or lives alone. Obviously, if the hen is without a mate of the opposite
sex who could fertilize the eggs, then all the eggs she is laying are infertile. The following is
one example of a letter that deals with this common, latter problem.
Question: I have a female cockatiel that is approximately four years old. During the first
three and a half years she only laid eggs a few times each year. She has recently begun to
lay eggs nonstop over a period of three months. She’ll lay three eggs in a clutch, then about a
week later start over and lay another three eggs in a seven to 10 day period. I have been
watching her closely and have not noticed any other problems. She has a great appetite and
behaves normally. Is this something that I should be worried about? My vet does not
specialize in birds and I am really concerned and would like to correct this early if it is a
problem. I would appreciate any information you can provide. Thank you. (K.M., Ohio).
Answer: Yes, I think you should be concerned whenever a cockatiel hen begins to lay eggs
and especially in the quantity you have been describing. But, you are alert and sensitive to
your bird’s needs and that is half the battle to remedying the situation. Do understand there
are definite actions you can take to control the behavior before it has progressed too far.
These answers will be discussed in parts two, three and four of this article.
First, be certain to provide an adequate source of calcium through a good dietary
supplement. Calcium is a major component from which eggs are formed and lack of dietary
calcium can cause a dangerous deficiency for egg-laying hens. Should hens lack calcium,
they will draw the necessary mineral from their own skeleton in order to form their eggs,
leaving them vulnerable to disease, osteoporosis, and life-threatening problems such as soft-
shelled eggs and egg peritonitis.
No matter which diet you choose to feed, always provide a large, fresh cuttlebone inside the
cage, soft side facing inward. I recommend cuttlebone since it is easier for eager beaks to
chew compared to harder mineral blocks. A few ridges scratched across the surface with a
clean knife usually entice more hesitant birds to investigate. Cuttlebone can also be scraped
on top of seed mixes, favorite table foods, or daily fresh foods such as greens, egg-food, or a
corn-rice-bean mix.
If your bird is already on a pelleted or extruded diet, the good news is that she should be
receiving most her dietary calcium already. However, birds on a seed diet may require
additional supplementation such as specialty products containing the proper balance of
calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D3 that are necessary in maintaining adequate blood
levels. Another source is to provide oyster shell, which is a form of soluable grit. Oyster shell
is completely ground up in the gizzard and so won’t impact the crop as ordinary gravel would,
should a bird be tempted to gorge. Today, most breeders do not feed gravel or grit due to the
danger of impacted crop; however oyster shell containing calcium is felt to be safe. Also,
chicken eggshells, washed, dried, and baked for at least 45 minutes (to remove possible
salmonella bacteria), crushed and added to food, can provide another excellent source of
calcium.
Additional dietary calcium can also be provided through the feeding of dark green, leafy
vegetables. Dark green vegetables highest in calcium content, ranked in order, include:
collard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, bok choy, broccoli, kale, mustard greens, and
spinach. Other greens are no match for calcium content, compared with the above, but do
have other valuable nutrients.
In general, the richest source of calcium is contained in the leaves, while the highest amounts
of phosphorous is found in the stocks. Dark green leafy vegetables such as dandelion
greens, carrots and their tops, collards, kale, and sprouts, are highest in carotene, which is
converted into vitamin A in the liver. These greens are also important since vitamin A is a
critical antioxidant that is commonly found to be deficient in many companion birds. Both kale
and spinach are known to be rich sources of folic acid, (which help prevent birth defects in
humans), and folic acid is thought to have immune-enhancing properties.
A variety of green food fed several times a week, if not daily, will help provide the nutrients
cockatiels need to stay healthy and strong. Egg laying is a taxing event for any female parrot,
including cockatiels, and nutrition is key to reproductive health.
Parts III and IV will continue with the breeding cycle of hens and discuss specific strategies on
how to deter unwanted egg laying.
Part III will continue with Helping Companion Hens During the Egg-laying Cycle.
| EGGLAYING BEHAVIORS: NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF EGG LAYING HENS Copyright © 2000 Linda S. Rubin All Rights Reserved |
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Copyright 2006 by Linda S. Rubin
| Disclaimer Articles on this website are not meant to take the place of proper veterinary and other medical care. If your bird appears ill or shows symptoms of illness, please contact your avian veterinarian as quickly as possible. Birds are prey animals and hide their symptoms in order to survive; by the time owners see symptoms, a bird may have become extremely ill. Owners are advised to seek medical attention immediately. To find an avian veterinarian in your area, contact the Association of Avian Veterinarians at www.aav.org. |