What REALLY works to limit egg production?

[NancyJ]

Folks,

Much to my shock, my 2-yr-old single Birdy laid an egg last night. Obviously not the male I thought I got last summer!

I am not happy about Birdy laying an egg; frankly it kind of grosses me out. However, I am not moving the egg or the nest until she gets tired of sitting on an infertile egg (about 3 weeks).

I have done some research to find out what I can do to try to limit Birdy's egg production: suggestions like limit daylight hours, use dummy eggs, limit fatty seeds, and remove nest areas.

My question is: what really works?

I would like to avoid drastic steps like injections if I can make my home inhospitable to egg production without compromising Birdy's general happiness. But I REALLY don't want this egg laying to become a habit if I can help it. I'm sorry... I know it's natural, but YUCK.

[Charis]

Nancy...Once it's started there really isn't much you can do to stop egg production. You can give the shots but most vets don't think it wise to mess with hormones.
I really am having a hard time grasping why you find it so yucky. It sounds like your pigeon is happy and in harmony with nature. This is as it should be.
Maybe somehow you can reslove your feelings of it being yucky.

[maryjane]

Originally Posted by Charis

Nancy...Once it's started there really isn't much you can do to stop egg production. You can give the shots but most vets don't think it wise to mess with hormones.
I really am having a hard time grasping why you find it so yucky. It sounds like your pigeon is happy and in harmony with nature. This is as it should be.
Maybe somehow you can reslove your feelings of it being yucky.

Ditto....what's yucky about laying an egg? It's in a nice and sturdy shell, so I wouldn't worry about it breaking or anything and making a mess. If it makes you feel better you can get dummy/fake eggs from a craft store and replace with those.

[NancyJ]

This is my first bird (egg laying pet) and I thought I was getting a male, so my expectations were different. Please don't chastise me for having an aversion to egg laying... with all due respect to the experienced hatchers, I obviously have issues with accepting bodily functions that are not going to be solved here (thank God I don't have human children) ... I appreciate your intent, but can you help me limit it instead of questioning me for not liking it? I really don't mean to be rude, but I need help!

[little bird]

I'm sorry but I have no sure fire answer for you, but I can tell you what we do. My friend has a pair of unreleasables, so she has double trouble. Not only with the unwanted egg laying but a real possibility of unwanted babies. Our solution is to get a cloth big enough to cover her entire cage..a cloth black & heavy enough to block ALL light. The cage is covered at 7PM and uncovered at 10 AM....that give her 15 hours of darkness every day. When she lays the eggs, they are taken one at a time and hardboiled, cooled, and returned to her to brood. If she is fooled by this exchange, she will set for 21 days then abandon the eggs and will start a new cycle and if you have kept the 15 hour darkness every night....HOPEFULLY she will go about 10 days....if you're lucky a couple more.....before she starts all over again.
For her health, you must feed her the days rations when she starts her day so that she doesn't hold excessive amount of her waste for the 15 hour night or she will become ill from that. If you can limit her laying to one set of eggs a month, that is the best you can hope for.

[Charis]

Originally Posted by NancyJ

This is my first bird (egg laying pet) and I thought I was getting a male, so my expectations were different. Please don't chastise me for having an aversion to egg laying... with all due respect to the experienced hatchers, I obviously have issues with accepting bodily functions that are not going to be solved here (thank God I don't have human children) ... I appreciate your intent, but can you help me limit it instead of questioning me for not liking it? I really don't mean to be rude, but I need help!

I really didn't intend to chastise you and I think you are being honest about how you feel. Do you think you would feel more comfortable if we were to help you find a good home for this bird and find you a male? I think that you can expect a good 10 egg laying years with this one. I'm thinking of her well being too and she does have a right to be herself just as you have the right to be who you are. You both are deserving of being honored for that.

[Trees Gray]

You can limit egg production by lowering her protein intake, adding more barley to the seed mix, and don't pet her on her back, just around her neck and tummy, as that can stimulate egg production, it works with some hens...not all.

[TheSnipes]

The truth is that there is no way to eliminate egg production, it is her natural bodily function. You might try Treesa's tactics or Little bird's, but that is a lot of effort to try to limit something that is about as likely to go away as a woman's normal menstrual cycle.

Pigeons are prolific. Would you consider finding a new home for this one, and perhaps finding another type of bird pet that is not so likely to produce eggs? I've had 6 parrots/small hookbills and none of them ever laid an egg, but my pigeons? Try & stop 'em

[Charis]

Originally Posted by TheSnipes

The truth is that there is no way to eliminate egg production, it is her natural bodily function. You might try Treesa's tactics or Little bird's, but that is a lot of effort to try to limit something that is about as likely to go away as a woman's normal menstrual cycle.

Pigeons are prolific. Would you consider finding a new home for this one, and perhaps finding another type of bird pet that is not so likely to produce eggs? I've had 6 parrots/small hookbills and none of them ever laid an egg, but my pigeons? Try & stop 'em

What a great idea!

[little bird]

Actually, Snipes, women and many mammals can have surgury and eliminate the cycle and survive. I have known of a couple such attempts on birds that killed the bird..... it's insane to even try as the birds are so much more prone to die from the anesthetic, which is what killed the two I am aware of.

[TheSnipes]

Just to clarify, I was not suggesting using any means like that to try and stop production of eggs!!

[little bird]

Originally Posted by TheSnipes

Just to clarify, I was not suggesting using any means like that to try and stop production of eggs!!

I know YOU were NOT recommending such a procedure but I mentioned it because someone, (possibly a money hungry vet) will offer such as a solution and I wanted Nancy to know how dangerous it is for birds.

[TheSnipes]

Originally Posted by little bird

I know YOU were NOT recommending such a procedure but I mentioned it because someone, (possibly a money hungry vet) will offer such as a solution and I wanted Nancy to know how dangerous it is for birds.

Thanks Littlebird,

I agree...it would be a thing reserved for cases in which egg production has become life threatening in itself.

[spirit wings]

Originally Posted by Charis

Nancy...Once it's started there really isn't much you can do to stop egg production. You can give the shots but most vets don't think it wise to mess with hormones.
I really am having a hard time grasping why you find it so yucky. It sounds like your pigeon is happy and in harmony with nature. This is as it should be.
Maybe somehow you can reslove your feelings of it being yucky.

IMO, this is the best advice.

[NancyJ]

In my original post, I specifically said I am looking to avoid drastic steps, and don't want to compromise Birdy's happiness... so surgery and shots would never be considered.

I am a little suprised at the general opinion that I should not be looking for ways to curb this. How many of you alter other "natural" occurances for your convenience? My female dog is spayed, even though I could easily keep her away from male dogs when she were to be in heat. Should I not alter this "natural" occurance, and "just deal" with her bleeding all over the place? Do you?

I have friends who take birth control pills continuously for months to limit their periods to a few times a year. No harm done there either.

In fact, I personally alter all of the following natural occurances for my own convenience: I shave my legs, wear deoderant, use indoor plumbing, call the exterminator to keep mice and bugs out of my home, spay/neuter my dogs, and buy frozen foods. No harm done (except to the mice & bugs).

Since most of you are so hung up on my reason (personal aversion), how about this: I have read that producing eggs is hard on the female, and can lead to nutritional deficiencies or life-threatening egg binding. And her second egg has blood on it. That couldn't have been fun. So just pretend that my motive is to prevent my single female pigeon from the unnecessary risks of egg production.

You know, not all pigeon owners got into this for the same reasons, and it should be okay. Just like with dog owners: some are breeders, own many, and can (and do) deal with the bloody mess that is litters of puppies, and some want neutered individual dogs as house pets. I like having a pigeon for many reasons, including the soothing noises she makes. Parrots and other birds squawk too much for me.

Thank you to those who gave some real suggestions. My vet also told me that if I alter her environment by moving things around in her cage, this can help too.