Bird plucking

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Bird plucking

by Daniel
(Montreal)

Every few months my love bird goes through a period of laying infertile eggs. I noticed one time she was laying eggs and the top part of her chest was bald but other than that she seemed normal. Eventually they grew back and everything was okay.

Now she is starting to lay eggs again because i checked her bottom and there i felt an egg and her whole chest is bald. I am a little worried because to me it seems a little irregular. I think this is the second time her chest is bald while nesting but i would just like someone who is an expert to actually give me possibilities to what it can be.

I would also like to know if its normal for her to be kind of weak and quiet while she is nesting. Any answer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Comments for
Bird plucking

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Jan 24, 2011

Bird plucking when nesting
by: The Avian Vet

It is normal for lovebirds and other bird to pluck their chest when they are nesting. However, you should have her examined by an avian veterinarian. It is vital that you have your bird on a pellet diet to prevent health problems such as egg binding and brittle bones. Supplementing a poor diet (such as seeds) is not good enough to prevent these problems. I suggest Harrison's pellets.

When she lays her eggs doe she want to sit on them? If so, leave them in until she tires of them. This will help to prevent excessive egg laying. You may want to consider hormonal therapy to prevent the egg laying.

Dr B

Jan 17, 2011

Bird plucks when laying eggs
by: Tracie

If you are allowing your bird to have a place to nest, she may be plucking feathers to line the nest. Hopefully you are not encouraging the egg laying behavior. You should take anything that can be used as a nest out of her cage.

Dr B will eventually answer this question, but I want to mention that if your bird is not on a healthy pellet diet, like Harrison's , then your bird could become egg bound. A bird that is egg bound will sit, weak, and sometimes panting because she can not push the egg out. The bird will die if this happens and you don't quickly get her to an avian vet. Hopefully your bird is on a pellet diet, and will not have the nutritional problems that cause this.

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