I saved my birds life!!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:33 pm

Or, at least I think I did. I woke up this morning to find one of the Gouldian hens sitting on the floor of the cage, puffed up, both eyes closed. She didn't even notice me picking her up. I offered her a little water and then checked her over and felt an egg inside. I put a small drop of olive oil in her vent. I *very* gently coaxed the egg out. (Okay, I know, probably not the smartest thing to do, but she seriously looked like she was going to die soon) After three attempts of coaxing it out, it popped out. She came alive! I came home to find her flying around and happy as usual. It's my fault for not offering her egg shells like I usually do when they are laying. It's been an eye opener as far as their nutritional requirements.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:37 pm

you have to be careful because if she is laying eggs there may be another one coming tomorrow.

Just out of interest was the egg shell soft or felt normal and did you place it in the nest?

Chris

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 10:40 pm

chrischris wrote:you have to be careful because if she is laying eggs there may be another one coming tomorrow.

Just out of interest was the egg shell soft or felt normal and did you place it in the nest?

Chris

Yeah, I know. I'm boiling eggs right now! I'll definitely keep an eye on her. The egg was perfectly normal. Didn't place it in the nest because once it touches oil, it's bad.

Post by **Hilary** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:24 am

Whew! Congrats for finding her in time! I use a drop of Calciboost fed directly to them - that just about always seems to work. With my luck I'd break the egg if I tried to coax it out......

birdbrain · Post by **birdbrain** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:10 am

Wow, I'd probably break a rib or more. Good touch.

poohbear · Post by **poohbear** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 4:00 am

Removing the egg should be a last resort.First thing is heat...most will then pass the egg themselves.Egg binding can be brought on by low temperatures and young hens can be prone...Apart from diet.

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:35 am

Well again here was where a decision had to be made and it look like you made the right one this time. Good job!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:53 pm

poohbear wrote:Removing the egg should be a last resort.First thing is heat...most will then pass the egg themselves.Egg binding can be brought on by low temperatures and young hens can be prone...Apart from diet.

Paul, you are spot on. Normally I wouldn't have done drastic measures, but I was late for work and didn't have time to set up another cage with the heat lamp. This hen is about 2.5 years old and experienced. Even though I'm glad everything worked out, it just made me a little more mindful of being prepared with a ready hospital cage and of course the proper diet. My boss doesn't quite understand the whole bird interest I have.

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:04 pm

Did she lay another egg today?
If so what happened?

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:52 pm

This might be a lesson for all us to have things A little more prepared,I plan on fixing one up right away.

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:03 pm

Yup, she laid other egg today without any help from me. This is their second clutch.

You're right B....it doesn't take much time at all to have a hospital cage already set up and other things ready. People have an emergency medical kit for themselves....why not for their birds?

chrischris · Post by **chrischris** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:21 am

Just curious if she laid the egg in the nest or at the bottom of the cage? and if she will care for these eggs? think they are fertile?

Chris

Post by **Sally** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:52 am

If you aren't already doing so, be sure to supplement with vitamin D3, which is in most breeding supplements. They need the D3 in order to absorb the calcium you are supplying. I was just told I need D3 so the calcium tabs I am taking will work. My finches have been getting D3 for at least a year, but I didn't think about doing it for myself!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:03 pm

chrischris wrote:Just curious if she laid the egg in the nest or at the bottom of the cage? and if she will care for these eggs? think they are fertile?

Chris

She laid it in the nest. Didn't see a new egg this morning, but I've noticed they lay them later in the day. We'll see if they will care for the eggs or if they're fertile!

atarasi · Post by **atarasi** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:12 pm

Sally wrote:If you aren't already doing so, be sure to supplement with vitamin D3, which is in most breeding supplements. They need the D3 in order to absorb the calcium you are supplying. I was just told I need D3 so the calcium tabs I am taking will work. My finches have been getting D3 for at least a year, but I didn't think about doing it for myself!

Sally, they are getting Breeders Blend which has 4,200 IU of vitamin D3.
Is there a liquid version to offer of D3?