Last Updated on February 16, 2023 by Mitch Rezman

Mary S. is concerned,

 

Can prolapse in parakeets be prevented?

 

Dear Mary

Most important is prevention – assure that your birds, especially breeding hens, are in good health and are receiving optimal amounts of calcium and other minerals and vitamins. Upon noting a prolapse, you can try lubricating the tissue with a water-soluble product, such as Wet Original.

 

However, it can still happen sadly as every bird is different and has different physical needs.

 

We have a large aviary with several rescued parakeets. We lost one a few months ago to prolapse and it was heartbreaking. 

 

We had no previous knowledge that she was in that condition until it was too late to help her.

 

 

We had no previously laid or dropped eggs from her or the other hens so it was a surprise.

 

The birds now get calcium powder mixed in their chopped fresh food daily along with their multi-vitamins. 

 

We also provide strong daylight lighting on timers 12 hours a day over their cage to simulate the summer months to discourage hormonal behavior.

 

If you are breeding your birds, it is also helpful to give them a break now and then so they can recover their health by separating the females from the males.

 

Thank you so much Catherine for answering. My parakeet was a male.

 

Got him when he wasn’t a baby (no bars on his head) but not fully grown.

 

He did not allow handling but towards the end, he did sit on my forearm and sing one time.

 

I never want that to happen again.

 

Got a male because I was afraid a female would become egg-bound.

 

He was the only bird in the house. Thanks again.

 

Dear Mary,

 

Gotcha. I don’t think that is a regular problem for males. 

 

Even though their vents on the southern end are the same, unless the male had a food obstruction or tumor I don’t think that prolapse would be a problem for them.

 

Since there are no new birds being brought in from Australia anymore, inbreeding is a bigger concern these days.

 

This has resulted in parakeets not living as long as they should.

 

A bird fresh from the wild with strong genes could live upwards of 25 years. But now, parakeets live 7-12 years on average.

 

Some even less if kept in a small cage and fed only seeds and water.

 

Glad you were able to enjoy each other as long as you did.

 

Regards,

Catherine