Egg Binding in Birds: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Egg binding in birds is a serious, potentially fatal condition occurring in female birds of breeding age. Recognising the signs early can help save your bird’s life through timely care.

What is Egg Binding?

Egg binding, also called dystocia, happens when a bird cannot pass an egg she has formed. The egg may become stuck in the oviduct, cloaca, or vent. It is most common in smaller birds like lovebirds and cockatiels, but any female bird may be affected. Even birds without a mate can develop egg binding as they naturally lay unfertilised eggs.

A major risk is the egg breaking inside the bird, which may cause internal tissue damage, infection, or death.

Symptoms of Egg Binding

• Laboured breathing: The bird may breathe rapidly or appear to struggle to breathe.
• Swelling: Swelling near the lower abdomen or vent area suggests the egg is stuck.
• Constipation: The blockage caused by the egg may prevent droppings from passing.
• Straining: Prolonged straining without passing an egg is a key symptom.
• Lethargy: Sitting on the cage floor or showing general weakness.
• Fluffed feathers: Puffing up feathers can indicate ill health or distress.

Treatment Options

Initial care involves gently massaging the egg toward the vent using a lubricant like cod liver oil, taking great care to avoid breaking the egg.

A high-temperature environment (about 85-90°F or 29-32°C), such as a steamy bathroom, can help relax muscles to facilitate laying. Placing the bird on a warm towel aids vent dilation.

A shallow warm water bath may also relax muscles and assist egg passage.

If these methods fail, a specialised avian vet may give a calcium injection to strengthen the egg shell or perform careful egg removal. If necessary, the egg may be broken and removed piece by piece, with thorough cleaning to prevent infections.

Causes of Egg Binding

Low Calcium Levels (Hypocalcaemia Syndrome)

Calcium deficiency is the primary cause of egg binding. To support calcium levels, you can:

• Offer crushed, boiled eggshells (to reduce bacterial risk).
• Provide a calcium or mineral block in the cage.
• Use full-spectrum UVA and UVB lamps if natural sunlight is limited.
• Include vitamin D rich foods carefully, as too much can harm kidneys and impair growth.

Other Factors

A low protein diet, especially one that is predominantly seed-based, can contribute to imbalances. Insufficient exercise is also a risk, especially for larger birds confined to small cages without regular out-of-cage time.

Preventing Egg Binding

Complete prevention is not always possible, but these steps can reduce the risk:

• Provide a diet rich in calcium and balanced nutrients tailored to your bird’s breed.
• Fresh fruit and vegetables should make up 20-25% of the bird’s diet, along with sprouted seeds which offer vitamins and minerals with less fat.
• Consider medicinal herbs, such as cilantro, mixed into food to enhance nutritional benefits discreetly.
• Offer a variety of favourite fruits like pomegranates, apples, pear, banana, figs, guavas, grapes, melons, papaya, and watermelon.
• Regular vegetables including bell peppers, cucumber, peas, chili peppers, pumpkin, squash, spinach, kale, cabbage, and grated carrot support overall health.

Conclusion

Egg binding is a distressing condition for any bird owner but can sometimes be managed successfully with prompt care and prevention. Ensure your bird receives a healthy diet, comfortable environment, and veterinary attention when needed. Responsible care helps minimise risks, allowing you to enjoy the many joys of bird ownership.