Instructions
Recall the bird's diet. An all-seed diet is deficient in calcium, vitamin E, selenium and vitamin D3, making the bird highly susceptible to egg binding.
Determine if the bird suffers from obesity. A poor-quality diet or all-seed diet with little exercise and daily training activities results in obesity, making the bird more susceptible to egg binding.
Recall the reproductive cycle of the hen. First-time layers, prolific layers and senior birds are more susceptible to egg binding. Over-breeding birds such as pulling chicks too soon for additional clutches, also increases egg binding.
Determine through observation if the hen (female bird) is constantly straining as if trying to eliminate waste or lay an egg.
Determine if the bird exhibits additional symptoms such as being depressed, sitting on the floor of the cage as well as the inability to perch or stand properly.
Call the veterinarian immediately if the bird exhibits any egg binding symptoms. Failure to treat egg binding is fatal for the bird.
How to Tell if a Bird Is Egg Bound
Egg binding in female birds is a serious and quickly fatal illness if not taken care of in a short amount of time. A female bird does not have to be in the presence a male bird to be capable of laying eggs, and birds that are on all-seed diets or poor-quality diets are more susceptible to egg binding. If caught during the early stages and with good veterinary care, an egg-bound hen can be successfully treated.