odd posture -- does this indicate a problem?

[haraggan]

Folks,

I'm worried about my pigeon, Pheap. She's a feral, but we've had her since she was very young. She's been with us for a year and several months and has always been healthy. We don't have any other birds, and she stays in the apartment and does not go outside. About three weeks ago she laid her first egg, but only laid one. The last two days she's been sitting and walking with her tail slightly up and wings slightly down. Her poop is also watery today, but doesn't seem to have an odor. Does this mean anything? She's been walking around on the floor more than normal (but flies fine) and we had been wondering if her grit (which comes from a pet store and isn't a pigeon-specific formulation) is inadequate and she's looking for better grit. She seems slightly subdued but doesn't seem to be in any pain, and I could not find any swelling or hard spots in the abdomen. She's my first pigeon, so I'm not really sure if there's anything potentially wrong. Should I take her to a vet? I'm not sure if my vet treats pigeonss but I can call tomorrow. They've treated snakes and mice for me, so they may well treat birds.

Any suggestions or advice? Anything I should look out for?

Kristi

[TAWhatley]

Hi Kristi,

I would be somewhat concerned about egg binding. If I were you, I would try to get some additional calcium into Pheap as soon as possible. The posture you describe is not normal but also not what I see with my female pigeons when they are about to lay an egg. My hens have a kind of "hunch backed" look when they are getting ready to lay.

I don't know what the drug is off the top of my head, but there is an injection that can be given by a vet to help with passing a "reluctant" egg. Meanwhile, you should be able to get some calcium gluconate at the drugstore for Pheap.

It's wonderful that you know Pheap so well and have realized that something is not right.

Please keep us posted.

Terry Whatley

[haraggan]

Thanks, Terry. Actually, hunch-backed is a pretty good way to describe what she's doing with her back and tail. I have a book that suggests a warm bath may help, so I'll do that in the meantime and call the vet tomorrow.

Kristi

[haraggan]

Actually, one other question. How much calcium should I give her? Can I break up a tablet and put it on her food?

Kristi

[haraggan]

I have some calcium carbonate, but not calcium gluconate. The tablets have 600 mg calcium carbonate plus some vitamin D. But is there a reason why she'd specifically need the gluconate rather than the carbonate form?

Kristi

[TAWhatley]

Kristi,

See the post in General .. I just bumped it up for you .. title is Help Me.

Terry Whatley

[haraggan]

Hey, Terry, thanks for the advice. I gave Pheap a warm bath and then she flew up to her nest on top of the cabinet and got very quiet. When I checked I found that she had indeed laid the egg. I've just put her to bed (in her cage) and I gave her some calcium. I'll keep an eye on her and keep giving her more calcium for the next few days, but it looks like you diagnosed the problem.

Relieved "mom",
Kristi

[maryco]

Hello,

That sounds very normal, my Pearl looks like that every time she is about to lay an egg, her wings hand low and her tail is humped, also she gets very very strange poop until finally the egg is laid.

You can cut up some pieces of cuttle bone (remove the hard back with a knife then chop up the white soft part into really small pieces and see if she eats them) My pet Pearl will gobble them up like crazy.

Mary

[singing birdy]

Originally posted by haraggan:
Folks,

I'm worried about my pigeon, Pheap. She's a feral, we've had her since she was very young. She's been with us for a year and always been healthy. We don't have any other birds, she stays in the apartment does not go outside. three weeks ago she laid her first egg, . The last two days she's been sitting and walking with her tail slightly up and wings slightly down. Her poop is also watery today, but doesn't seem to have an odor. Does this mean anything? normal (but flies fine) and we had been wondering if her grit (which comes from a pet store and isn't a pigeon-specific formulation) is inadequate and she's looking for better grit. She seems slightly subdued but doesn't seem to be in any pain, and I could not find any swelling or hard spots in the abdomen. She's my first pigeon, .


Kristi

I love your concern I'll be praying for you pij!

[haraggan]

Thanks, everyone. I took Pheap to an avian vet today and she does indeed have another egg. They've treated her with calcium and a medication to try to induce laying. She hasn't dropped it so far, so she'll be staying at the hospital overnight under observation and hopefully she'll be able to lay the egg herself without manual intervention. I, of course, am a nervous wreck but the vet reported that she seemed calm and curious about her surroundings. I've gotten some oyster shell to add more calcium to her diet.

Kristi

[Trees Gray]

I guess your mind is at rest, now. Will she becoming home after the egg is laid? I'll bet you will be glad to have her home.

I found that my hens love the Duval pickcake, it seems to be just what they need, they ignore the grit, and I have 2 different kinds from the pigeon supply houses! Treesa