Q: I'm freaking out because I thought I had a male green- cheeked conure, but "he" recently laid two eggs in three days. My bird is alone, so I know the eggs are unfertilized, but I wonder if she's going to be OK. Is there something I should be doing?
A: Egg-laying might seem to be a normal process for what you've discovered is a female bird. Not so, said expert avian veterinarian Brian Speer, author of "Birds for Dummies." Egg-laying isn't a desirable activity for single pet birds. Here's his explanation and advice:
"When females lay clutches of eggs without the presence of a male partner (known as chronic egg-laying), it can lead to myriad health problems. The reproductive tract can become exhausted, draining the bird metabolically and physiologically. It can predispose her to egg binding (in which the egg becomes stuck in the reproductive tract) as well as to other physical problems.
"You can take several steps to help change the situations that have her believing it's time to get in the family way. The biggies include giving a controlled amount of food (birds get in the mating mood when they have an abundance of resources) and avoiding foods high in fat and calories such as seeds, nuts and processed foods; managing the environment by removing nesting-type materials such as shredded paper or boxes that can serve as nests; moving her cage frequently to simulate an unstable environment; and avoiding petting her in areas that can stimulate reproductive behaviors, such as under the wings or on the back, belly or tail. Stick to the head and neck. Your avian veterinarian may have other tips."
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