How to Get a Stuck Egg Out of a Bird

Egg binding is a serious health threat for female birds. If the bird is in severe distress, is hunched up, straining repeatedly and not eating or drinking for more than an hour or two, the bird must be taken to an emergency vet. Small birds may need immediate veterinary treatment. Egg binding is a painful, life-threatening condition in birds. The bird may be laying a large egg, may be injured or nutritionally depleted (unable to metabolize calcium), may be trying to pass an inadequately developed egg or the egg may have broken internally. There are a few things bird keepers can try for mild egg binding before contacting the vet.

Things You'll Need

  • Baby oil
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Heating pad (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use oil or petroleum jelly. Take up the straining bird and apply the oil or jelly to the vent area. See if the egg is visible or beginning to protrude from the vent. Coat the egg and vent with either lubricant. Place the bird in its nest. Wait to see if this allows the egg to pass. Consult a vet if the egg does not emerge in 15 minutes.

    • 2

      Set the bird on a heating pad (on low) or submerge the bottom of the bird in warm water. Use caution when setting small birds in warm water as this may shock the bird. Allow larger birds to stand in the water. Hold the bird so that the vent is submerged in the warm water. Take the bird out of the water after 10 minutes. Set birds on the heating pad to dry. Contact a vet if the egg is not expelled.

    • 3

      Decide if the bird is in severe distress (listlessness, hunched up, eyes closed) or has been straining for more than an hour without successfully passing the egg. Watch to see if the egg has broken internally -- the bird may expel egg pieces such as shell, yolk and albumin. Consult a vet immediately in these situations.