Egg-binding is a potentially fatal condition affecting female breeding-age birds of pet birds of any kind; however, among pet birds this condition most frequently appears among finches, parakeets, lovebirds, canaries and cockatiels1.1
Egg-binding occurs when an egg becomes “stuck” inside of a bird and they are unable to expel it in its usual time frame – typically 24 to 48 hours depending on species – in which case owners often mistake the straining attempt as defecation. Your bird may appear sickly, lose appetite, fluff up its feathers more frequently and sleep longer than usual as well as have an enlarged abdomen due to this stuck egg, making it more difficult for it to pass feces and urine simultaneously.
Egg-bound hens need immediate medical treatment and owners should understand what signs and symptoms to look out for in their pet hen. Left untreated, your bird could become critically ill and even die2.2
What Is Egg-Binding? Many bird owners are surprised to find out that female birds without contact with male birds can still lay eggs; although these unfertilized eggs cannot produce viable chicks. While not every pet female bird will produce eggs, the possibility remains for all of them2.
Egg-binding occurs when an egg takes longer than usual to leave its reproductive tract and out into the world. Although timing varies by species and individual birds, most birds pass an egg out within 24 to 48 hours of being laid; your bird could lay just one or multiple eggs; though sometimes its effects could extend beyond their first nestlings. It is possible for one bird to experience egg-binding but then carry on normally in subsequent clutches.
Eggs may become lodged inside a bird’s vent – the opening designed to expel material from its urinary, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts – becoming stuck inside. As a result, you might see bits of it protrude through.
Eggs may become lodged further along in the reproductive tract. An egg could become lodged in either an oviduct, which runs from the ovaries to the vent, or within a cloaca chamber located just within the vent and designed to collect materials from urinary, gastrointestinal and reproductive tracts – unlike mammals that typically only share one common exit for all three organ systems.
Symptoms of Egg-Binding in Birds
Birds have the ability to conceal symptoms of illness until it has progressed too far for them to remain hidden, which helps wild birds avoid predators; but can make it difficult for pet owners to recognize when their bird is sick. Recognizing early signs of egg-binding is key in order to ensure your pet’s survival; if any of the following symptoms arise, immediately consult an avian vet as they can provide proper diagnosis and start your pet back on its road back toward recovery: