So you got a parrot
And now you’re wondering
When do parrots lay eggs?
Well,
Since egg-laying requires abundant food and relatively stable temperatures.
Therefore, a caged parrot can reproduce any time of the year.
However, a wild bird lays eggs only when there is plenty of food available, typically in late winter or early spring.
In this article we’re going to go into more detail about parrot and laying eggs
What are you going to discover?
Let me tell you
- What to do if your parrot lays an egg
- How often do parrots lay eggs?
- What age do they lay eggs?
- What factors stimulates a parrot to lay eggs
- Can parrots lay eggs without a male?
- Signs of a parrot about to lay an egg
- Do they feel pain?
- How to discourage a parrot laying an egg?
- How you can ease the laying the egg process for your birdie
Lots to cover and you’re going to learn a lot too!
Sound interesting?
Great!
Let’s get started
If your parrot has laid an egg I’m pretty sure you would want to know what you should do
Especially if it’s the first time it’s happened
What To Do If Your Parrot Lays Eggs?
Make your bird as comfortable as you can.
Forming eggs will cost your bird its minerals especially calcium, selenium, and sulfur.
So, try giving your bird as much nutrition rich in fats, vitamins, and minerals.
Also, take your birds for a regular check-up for any health issues.
- If you have a couple of parrots laying eggs, then chances are those eggs are fertilized. And so, they will hatch. I suggest you don’t touch the eggs. Instead, keep feeding the birds more than usual to calm them.
- If a single female lays eggs, those won’t hatch. But don’t take them out for at least a week and only one at a time. This will signal for not laying more eggs.
Besides, she may sit on those eggs for at least 2 days.
Though, odds are she will ignore them.
However, you rushing to remove those useless eggs may make her depressed and may even encourage more egg-laying.
How Often Do Parrots Lay Eggs?
It depends on a parrot’s species as well as its circumstances.
Normally, large parrots like African greys tend to lay eggs once a year, while small birds like budgies may breed up to thrice a year.
Parrots don’t lay singular eggs, rather a clutch of 3-6 eggs.
Birds reproducing in early spring will have better survival chances than those breeding late in summer.
Nevertheless, parrots procreating once a year are more successful in raising those eggs to fledglings.
Why?
Because laying eggs more than once depletes the birds of their energy and nutrients.
Now you may be curious,
At What Age Parrots Start Laying Eggs?
Again, that depends on your parrot’s species.
On average, a 2-year-old parrot starts laying eggs and continues doing so, for the next 10-12 years.
After which the hormone fluctuations settle down.
Though, some parrots stop reproducing for a decade or so, and then continue breeding well into their 30’s and 40’s.
Check out my article at what age do parrots lay eggs where I go into more detail
What Factors Stimulate a Parrot to Lay Eggs?
As spring comes with a profusion of insects, fruits, and flower seeds.
Therefore, springtime is often misunderstood as the only stimulus for a bird to lay eggs.
However, the major factors include:
1. Photoperiod
Greater exposure to light means approaching summer and the presence of more resources.
But this change is meaningful only to a wild bird.
For a caged parrot, food is never scarce.
But the light is still a stimulus to lay eggs.
And not just the sunlight, but also the fancy lights at your place.
2. Food
More food than usual can be shared and so, birds breed whenever that happens.
So, presenting your pet parrot with additional food may promote reproduction.
3. Excess Energy
A bird without any mental or physical stimulation will have extra energy and time, which may act as a cue for breeding.
4. Presence Of Other Birds
The presence of a potential mate increases the chances of laying eggs.
However, chirping from other birds may also enhance egg-laying.
Wait!?
So…
Can Parrots Lay Eggs Without a Male?
Yes. In presence of breeding signals, a mature female parrot will lay eggs with or without a male partner.
Why?
Well, a female bird’s ovulation cycle has nothing to do with a male bird.
Besides, laying eggs is an instinct.
So, a female parrot will lay eggs whenever it deems fit.
Though, these eggs won’t be fertilized without a male parrot and so, they won’t hatch.
Of course, only female birds can lay eggs.
Even so, there are always new breeders believing that their male parrot laid eggs.
Though, they had a female parrot all along assuming it as a male.
That aside, even a vet may be unable to distinguish between the two genders, without a DNA test.
But,
How Do I Know If My Parrot Is About To Lay an Egg?
A parrot with eggs may show the following signs:
- Shrieking, biting, or territorial behavior owing to hormonal changes.
- Overeating.
- Fluffier, or heavier than usual.
- Stiff gait with eggs straining the leg muscles.
- Larger and smellier droppings than regular ones.
- Sitting on the cage floor, in some plausible nesting space rather than a perch.
- Excessive thirst.
- Tail twitching.
Now, you may have concerns like:
Do Birds Feel Pain When Laying Eggs?
Normally, birds show no signs of distress while laying eggs.
Also, there is no precise way to measure such pain.
Therefore, it is assumed that birds feel little to no pain while laying eggs.
Besides, the shape of an egg is optimal for easy expulsions.
However, if the pointy end does not come out first, it may cause not only significant pain but may also turn life-threatening.
So, like all birth-giving processes, even egg-laying may have certain complications.
These include:
1. Egg Binding
Normally, a parrot lays eggs within 1-3 days.
But if she is taking longer than that, then rush to a vet, as the egg may be stuck.
An avian expert may relieve this egg binding by massaging the bird or perhaps by surgically removing it.
2. Egg Yolk Peritonitis
If the yolk of an egg leaks into the parrot’s abdomen, it will cause inflammation.
So, if that parrot is breathing heavily while laying eggs, then, take her to a vet.
3. Hyperlipidemia
A parrot laying eggs with an unbalanced diet may have its blood thickened, called hyperlipidemia.
So, take your bird to a vet after each cycle of the egg-laying process.
Hyperlipidemia is often treated with hormonal therapy.
4. Behavioral Issues
Egg-laying can become a habit among pet parrots, if not properly managed.
This can not only lead to malnutrition but also, chronic aggressive behaviors.
I know you can’t see your birdie in pain
And you want to do everything you can to make the egg laying process easy
Can you actually help though?
Let’s find out..
How Can I Ease The Egg Laying Process?
Honestly, there is nothing much you can do.
Though, a warm water bath may relax the muscles.
Some breeders suggest massaging olive oil.
However, don’t do this as you may end up crushing the egg inside your parrot, causing her even more pain.
If she seems in extreme distress over 2 days, then take her to a vet.
Wrapping Up
Parrots lay eggs at the onset of spring when there are plenty of resources available.
You can discourage this behavior by strictly following diet and sleep schedules.
However, if your bird is laying eggs then you must provide her with all the nutrients she needs.
Take her to a vet immediately if the egg-laying process takes longer than usual.
Frequently Asked Question
How Can I Discourage My Parrots from Laying Eggs?
If your bird has started making eggs, then you can do nothing but wait for it to lay eggs.
However, you can discourage the egg-laying process by following:
- A strict sleep schedule with a 12-hour-light to 12-hour-dark period. I suggest you move your parrots to a quiet dark room for the night. Also, put a cover on the cage.
- Give a balanced diet and only in moderate amounts. The profusion of food often signals for breeding so, cut down the fatty foods and extra vitamin supplements.
Of course, seeing a vet for a diet schedule is always a good idea.
- Exposing your bird to artificial or natural rainy weather may also dampen the desire to lay eggs.
- Removing nesting materials may also reduce the chances of egg-laying.